VEV completes 5 MW heavy truck charging deployment across three UK logistics hubs for Maritime Transport

VEV has successfully installed a 5 MW high-power DC charging network across three key logistics depots operated by Maritime Transport in the UK. This deployment, one of the largest of its kind in the country, features eighteen chargers with capacities between 100 kW and 400 kW at sites in Wakefield, Tilbury, and Doncaster. The infrastructure supports simultaneous charging of up to 36 electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), with plans for 56 electric trucks to utilise the network, each expected to travel around 120,000 kilometres annually. The project encompassed the full design and implementation process, including site layout, power systems engineering, civil works, and charger installation, all integrated through VEV’s proprietary VEV IQ smart charging platform. This system offers real-time monitoring of charger and energy performance, automated load balancing, and optimised charging schedules, ensuring efficient power management across the depots. The initiative forms part of Maritime Transport’s broader electrification strategy under its Maritime Zero division, supported by the UK government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme, which aims to expand electric vehicle infrastructure across 13 depots nationwide. Tom Williams, Deputy CEO at Maritime Transport, emphasised the significance of this milestone, describing it as a critical transition from pilot projects to full operational capacity within their network. He highlighted the new infrastructure’s role in providing the confidence and capability to grow their electric fleet, aligning with their ambition to operate the cleanest full-load supply chain in the UK. Marcelo Soares, VP of Customers and Partnerships at VEV, underlined the challenges of decarbonising heavy freight due to its high power demands and operational intensity, noting that the deployment demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale electric HGV infrastructure in active logistics environments. This development signals a major step forward in the UK’s efforts to decarbonise heavy goods transport, showcasing how substantial charging capacity can be integrated into existing logistics operations. With the infrastructure now operational, Maritime Transport is positioned to accelerate its fleet electrification, potentially influencing other operators to adopt similar strategies. The project also underscores the importance of smart charging technology in managing energy demands and operational efficiency as the sector transitions towards zero-emission freight solutions.