Fleete opens UK’s largest dedicated commercial vehicle electric charging hub at Port of Tilbury
Thursday 26th February 2026
Marking a major milestone in the electrification of the country’s freight and logistics sector, Fleete has officially opened the UK’s largest dedicated commercial vehicle electric charging hub at the Port of Tilbury.
The 5MW facility features 16 ultra-rapid chargers enabling up to 16 electric HGVs to charge simultaneously. This site is the first of a network of shared commercial vehicle charging hubs, designed to accelerate fleet electrification across the UK by providing high-powered charging at strategic logistics locations without the need for costly, time-consuming depot upgrades.
Delivering high-capacity charging at scale
Fleete’s new hub, delivered in partnership with the Port of Tilbury and Thames Freeport, is supported by £1 million from the UK government’s Thames Freeport Seed Capital Programme, with further funding provided by the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme, funded by the Department for Transport in partnership with Innovate UK.
The investment marks an important step in the Port of Tilbury’s green energy transition, supporting cleaner air for local communities, enabling businesses to capitalise on new opportunities in sustainable transport and contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Strategically located at one of the UK’s busiest multimodal freight hubs, Fleete’s facility serves the growing number of zero emission HGVs operating in and through the Port of Tilbury and along the A13 corridor into London. It also supports national infrastructure programmes including the Lower Thames Crossing, where major contractors are switching to electric vehicles to reduce emissions on one of the country’s largest infrastructure construction projects.
The official opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from Fleete, project partners and fleet customers, with the hub formally opened by Madam Mayor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock.
“Today is an important moment for Thurrock and for the wider move towards cleaner freight. The opening of Fleete’s electric HGV charging hub here at the Port of Tilbury, the largest dedicated hub of its kind in the UK, highlights what can be achieved through strong partnership between industry, government and Thames Freeport. This investment supports cleaner transport, improves air quality for our communities, and reinforces Thurrock’s role in adopting practical, forward looking low carbon solutions,” said Madam Mayor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock.
State-of-the-art eHGV charging
Fleete’s shared-user model provides fleet operators with access to reliable, high-quality charging without the need for dedicated facilities, addressing common barriers to electrification including grid capacity, land constraints and upfront infrastructure cost.
The new 5 megawatt (MW) site includes:
- Siemens has delivered 6 x Flex 540kW chargers plus 12 x Flex 500A dispensers. There are 3 charging islands, each can be upgraded to MCS with 2 x 540 kW and 4 dispensers on each bay. And
- 4 x charging points powered by Power Electronics, featuring two NB Cooled Dispensers and one NB Station system, delivering up to 270 kW per charging point, with upgrade capacity to 360 kW. The equipment is deployed as part of the eFREIGHT 2030 project.[1]
The hub was delivered with design and construction support from industry partners including Envevo, bringing high-voltage charging infrastructure into operation within a live port environment. The site has been designed to accommodate additional fleet operators as demand grows.
Speaking at the opening event, Chris Morrison, CEO at Fleete, said: “Today marks a major milestone for Fleete and for the wider logistics sector. From announcing the project last year, to now opening the site, our focus has been on proving that shared, high-capacity charging infrastructure can remove one of the biggest barriers to fleet electrification.
“The Port of Tilbury hub shows what’s possible when industry and government work together to deliver infrastructure at scale. By supporting customers and collaborating with partners across the supply chain, we’re helping accelerate the transition to zero-emission commercial transport where it’s needed most.”
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: “This is a significant milestone in our drive to decarbonise road freight, helped by £1million Government investment at the Port of Tilbury site to install EV chargers for HGVs.
“Road freight is the backbone of our economy, keeping goods moving and businesses growing. By supporting the sector to go electric, we’re cutting emissions and backing the industry to thrive long into the future.”
Strengthening partnerships at Port of Tilbury
The new hub forms part of a wider effort to support cleaner freight movement and future-proof one of the UK’s most important logistics gateways.
David Webster, Regional Director – Tilbury and Thames Freeport board member, said: “The opening of Fleete’s EV charging hub is a significant step forward for the Port of Tilbury as we work to support the decarbonisation of freight and logistics at one of the UK’s busiest ports.
“With thousands of HGV movements through the port every day, access to high-capacity, reliable charging infrastructure is critical. This shared facility will play an important role in helping our customers reduce emissions while maintaining efficient operations.”
Stuart Rimmer, CEO (Interim), Thames Freeport added: “This is exactly the kind of project Thames Freeport was established to support. By using targeted seed capital funding to unlock private investment, we are helping to deliver infrastructure that strengthens the Port of Tilbury and supports its long-term competitiveness.
For Thurrock and the wider Thames Freeport region, this means cleaner freight operations, modern infrastructure and continued confidence that the area is well placed to attract further investment in sustainable logistics.”
Logistics UK Chief Executive Ben Fletcher said: “Public charging infrastructure on this scale, and in such a key strategic location, is precisely what is needed to encourage more operators to use electric vehicles.
“The charging hub is vast, and with 16 ultra rapid chargers it will help operators make the switch to electric fleets – especially smaller operators who can struggle to install chargers at their depots.”
Port of Dundee bids farewell to NnG as project’s final offshore wind turbine blades leave the port
Wednesday 9th April 2025
The Brave Tern offshore wind installation vessel sailed down the Tay from the Port of Dundee on its way to the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm for the last time, signalling the successful completion of the port’s role in the construction phase of the project.
Loaded with its final NnG cargo of wind turbine blades, the vessel was bound for the offshore wind farm site located 15km off the coast of Fife at Crail, where the blades have now been installed.
Since 2022, the Port of Dundee has been hosting the turbine components for NnG at its custom-built Wind Turbine Marshalling Facility – DunEco Quay – prior to the towers being pieced together, each 90 metres in height, on the port’s quayside where they have become a familiar part of the city’s skyline. The towers were then shipped along with turbine blades 83.5 metres in length and the generating nacelles to the wind farm site.
NnG, jointly owned by EDF Renewables UK and Ireland and ESB, will have a capacity of c.450MW. It will supply enough low carbon electricity for around 375,000* homes and will offset 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
The Port of Dundee’s renewables hub represents a £40 million private investment in Dundee by Forth Ports, creating a 485 metres long heavy lift quayside and lay down area of 15 hectares – equivalent to 20 full size football pitches. It will next play host to the turbine components for the 1.1GW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm which will be constructed 12km off the Angus coast.
This investment also marked Forth Ports’ entry to the offshore wind market, culminating in a total spend of £150 million and the creation of a further facility at the Port of Leith, providing Scotland with the ports infrastructure it needs to meet the needs of this market, creating both economic activity and a route towards decarbonisation.
Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, owners of the Port of Dundee, said: “It’s been our pleasure to host NnG here in Dundee and we look forward to hearing that it’s fully operational and pumping 450MW of clean, green energy into the National Grid in the summer. We’re particularly proud that this project has been delivered with no recordable injuries meaning that everyone involved went home safe. The port teams are now preparing to welcome Inch Cape to both Dundee and Leith as we continue to focus on helping Scotland and the UK meet our carbon reduction and renewables targets.”
Matt Haag, Project Director at NnG, said: “I’d like to thank the Port of Dundee and the people of the city for hosting us as we constructed this major infrastructure project for Scotland. We plan to be fully operational this summer and look forward to maintaining the links that we have built with our land-based neighbours throughout NnG’s 25-year lifespan.”
Dundee City Council leader, Councillor Mark Flynn, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the operation to transport components to the NnG offshore windfarm from Dundee. This showcases the important role our port is playing as a key hub in driving forward the nation’s renewable energy ambitions.
Dundee’s involvement in Forth Ports’ delivery of Inch Cape also highlights our strategic importance in the transition to net zero.”
9th April 2025 Ends
Wednesday 9th April 2025
The Brave Tern offshore wind installation vessel sailed down the Tay from the Port of Dundee on its way to the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm for the last time, signalling the successful completion of the port’s role in the construction phase of the project. Loaded with its final NnG cargo of wind turbine blades, the vessel was …
The Brave Tern offshore wind installation vessel sailed down the Tay from the Port of Dundee on its way to the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm for the last time, signalling the successful completion of the port’s role in the construction phase of the project.
Loaded with its final NnG cargo of wind turbine blades, the vessel was bound for the offshore wind farm site located 15km off the coast of Fife at Crail, where the blades have now been installed.
Since 2022, the Port of Dundee has been hosting the turbine components for NnG at its custom-built Wind Turbine Marshalling Facility – DunEco Quay – prior to the towers being pieced together, each 90 metres in height, on the port’s quayside where they have become a familiar part of the city’s skyline. The towers were then shipped along with turbine blades 83.5 metres in length and the generating nacelles to the wind farm site.
NnG, jointly owned by EDF Renewables UK and Ireland and ESB, will have a capacity of c.450MW. It will supply enough low carbon electricity for around 375,000* homes and will offset 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
The Port of Dundee’s renewables hub represents a £40 million private investment in Dundee by Forth Ports, creating a 485 metres long heavy lift quayside and lay down area of 15 hectares – equivalent to 20 full size football pitches. It will next play host to the turbine components for the 1.1GW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm which will be constructed 12km off the Angus coast.
This investment also marked Forth Ports’ entry to the offshore wind market, culminating in a total spend of £150 million and the creation of a further facility at the Port of Leith, providing Scotland with the ports infrastructure it needs to meet the needs of this market, creating both economic activity and a route towards decarbonisation.
Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, owners of the Port of Dundee, said: “It’s been our pleasure to host NnG here in Dundee and we look forward to hearing that it’s fully operational and pumping 450MW of clean, green energy into the National Grid in the summer. We’re particularly proud that this project has been delivered with no recordable injuries meaning that everyone involved went home safe. The port teams are now preparing to welcome Inch Cape to both Dundee and Leith as we continue to focus on helping Scotland and the UK meet our carbon reduction and renewables targets.”
Matt Haag, Project Director at NnG, said: “I’d like to thank the Port of Dundee and the people of the city for hosting us as we constructed this major infrastructure project for Scotland. We plan to be fully operational this summer and look forward to maintaining the links that we have built with our land-based neighbours throughout NnG’s 25-year lifespan.”
Dundee City Council leader, Councillor Mark Flynn, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the operation to transport components to the NnG offshore windfarm from Dundee. This showcases the important role our port is playing as a key hub in driving forward the nation’s renewable energy ambitions.
Dundee’s involvement in Forth Ports’ delivery of Inch Cape also highlights our strategic importance in the transition to net zero.”
9th April 2025 Ends
Maritime Minister visits Port of Tilbury to see major expansion plans and Thames Freeport opportunities
Thursday 6th February 2025
The Port of Tilbury welcomed the Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP today (6 February) for a briefing and tour of the UK’s fastest growing port, where, through significant private investment, the port is developing plans to further expand within the Thames Freeport land area to support their major markets.
The Port of Tilbury is working on plans on a 100 acres site to the east of the existing port at Tilbury2 to expand the port related activities on the back of market demand. To be called Tilbury3, the investment will create and sustain skilled jobs and support the current and future needs of its customers in renewables, recycling and logistics. Tilbury3 is within the Thames Freeport tax site land area.
The Minister also met with apprentices and graduates [see images] and was accompanied by Forth Ports’ Chief Executive, Stuart Wallace, Paul Dale, Chief Operating Officer and Peter Ward, Commercial Director, allowing the Minister to see for himself the skills and training opportunities offered throughout the Forth Ports Group as he toured the port’s state-of-the-art training simulator suite.
Maritime Minister, Mike Kane said: “It was fantastic to visit the Port of Tilbury today to see the sheer extent of their operations and to meet with their hardworking apprentices and graduate students. I very much welcome their expansion plans for Tilbury3, which will help strengthen trade links with other countries, boost economic growth and support the skills and jobs needed for the future.”
Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports, welcomed the Maritime Minister’s visit and commented on the latest major expansion to the Port of Tilbury – Tilbury3: “We were pleased to welcome the Minister to the port today to brief him on our future expansion plans and the offshore renewables opportunities on the horizon. The success and growth of the Port of Tilbury is intertwined with the growth of the green circular, South East and Greater London economies.
“The proposed expansion of our operations into Tilbury3, which is backed by substantial shareholder investment and Thames Freeport investment incentives, will support growing customer demand for new or expanded facilities – delivering more high quality employment to the local area.”
-ends-
Thursday 6th February 2025
The Port of Tilbury welcomed the Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP today (6 February) for a briefing and tour of the UK’s fastest growing port, where, through significant private investment, the port is developing plans to further expand within the Thames Freeport land area to support their major markets. The Port of Tilbury is working on plans on a 100 …
The Port of Tilbury welcomed the Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP today (6 February) for a briefing and tour of the UK’s fastest growing port, where, through significant private investment, the port is developing plans to further expand within the Thames Freeport land area to support their major markets.
The Port of Tilbury is working on plans on a 100 acres site to the east of the existing port at Tilbury2 to expand the port related activities on the back of market demand. To be called Tilbury3, the investment will create and sustain skilled jobs and support the current and future needs of its customers in renewables, recycling and logistics. Tilbury3 is within the Thames Freeport tax site land area.
The Minister also met with apprentices and graduates [see images] and was accompanied by Forth Ports’ Chief Executive, Stuart Wallace, Paul Dale, Chief Operating Officer and Peter Ward, Commercial Director, allowing the Minister to see for himself the skills and training opportunities offered throughout the Forth Ports Group as he toured the port’s state-of-the-art training simulator suite.
Maritime Minister, Mike Kane said: “It was fantastic to visit the Port of Tilbury today to see the sheer extent of their operations and to meet with their hardworking apprentices and graduate students. I very much welcome their expansion plans for Tilbury3, which will help strengthen trade links with other countries, boost economic growth and support the skills and jobs needed for the future.”
Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports, welcomed the Maritime Minister’s visit and commented on the latest major expansion to the Port of Tilbury – Tilbury3: “We were pleased to welcome the Minister to the port today to brief him on our future expansion plans and the offshore renewables opportunities on the horizon. The success and growth of the Port of Tilbury is intertwined with the growth of the green circular, South East and Greater London economies.
“The proposed expansion of our operations into Tilbury3, which is backed by substantial shareholder investment and Thames Freeport investment incentives, will support growing customer demand for new or expanded facilities – delivering more high quality employment to the local area.”
-ends-
