Last week we reported on the first eHGV megawatt charger opening and now this week the UK’s transition to zero-emission freight took another major leap forward with the launch of the first public charging hubs dedicated to electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs), brought to life by sustainable energy firm GRIDSERVE. These new hubs, part of the groundbreaking Electric Freightway project, are now operational at Extra Baldock (J10 of the A1(M)) and Moto Exeter (J30 of the M5), offering high-power charging designed specifically for large commercial vehicles.
Designed with real-world freight operations in mind, the hubs feature four to eight ultra-rapid charging bays that accommodate articulated lorries and trailers without awkward manoeuvring. This drive-through layout, along with careful swept-path planning, makes charging straightforward and efficient for drivers regardless of where their vehicle’s charging port is located.
The Electric Freightway programme, backed by UK government support through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) initiative, aims to build a nationwide network of dedicated charging infrastructure at motorway service areas and key truck stop locations. Over the coming months, more hubs are set to open across major logistics routes, complementing depot charging and giving haulage operators practical options for electrifying their fleets.
This development is a significant step in decarbonising one of the hardest-to-abate sectors of UK transport. Heavy goods vehicles account for a sizeable portion of national transport emissions, so giving them access to reliable, high-power charging is essential for cutting carbon and keeping supply chains moving sustainably.
By opening the first public eHGV charging hubs, GRIDSERVE and its partners are helping make electric freight a practical reality rather than a distant ambition — signalling cleaner journeys for the goods that keep the country stocked and connected.
