First Electric Freightway electric HGV hubs go live

GRIDSERVE has opened public electric HGV (eHGV) charging hubs in Hertfordshire and Devon. The hubs have been delivered via the?Electric Freightway, a project funded by the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme.

The first eHGV hubs are at Extra Baldock, located at J10 of the A1(M), and Moto Exeter, located at J30 of the M5.

The ZEHID programme is funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. The scheme aims to encourage the decarbonisation of heavy goods freight in the UK by providing?shared, publicly accessible charging infrastructure?that has been designed specifically for eHGVs.

Despite representing just 1% of the licensed stock of road vehicles, they contribute 16% of the UK’s total domestic transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as 5% of the sector’s NOx emissions.

The Electric Freightway?is one of four funded programmes. It involves a 25-strong consortium of UK hauliers and truck manufacturers. Led by GRIDSERVE, the programme has made progress in the delivery of ultra-rapid eHGV charging depots, such as the Nissan Manufacturing UK plant.

The launch of Extra Baldock and Moto Exeter represent the first of seven public eHGV charging hubs to open in 2026.

Extra Baldock features?six dedicated eHGV charging bays from launch, while Moto Exeter opens with four eHGV charging bays. 

Both eHGV hubs feature new safety markings, custom signage to account for the higher HGV driving position and have been designed as drive-through bays that enable all models to plug in, regardless of charge port location. 

A swept-path analysis has also been conducted to ensure drivers can navigate charging lanes safely, while wide walkways, lighting, sensors and CCTV have also been considered to ensure drivers can safely walk between vehicles, chargers and the service area facilities.

Daniel Kunkel, chief executive of GRIDSERVE, said: “The Electric Freightway shows that zero emission freight is no longer a future ambition but a live, operational reality. With the help of our consortium partners, we’re now proving that electric HGVs can run real routes at real scale, using shared public infrastructure.

“Over the last five years, the Electric Highway has provided a super-fast and reliable nationwide charging network for electric passenger cars, giving drivers the confidence to make the switch to electric. We hope the Electric Freightway can give fleet managers of the freight sector the same level of confidence. We’re proud to be working hand in hand with government, Innovate UK and industry partners to deliver meaningful decarbonisation where it matters most.”

To mark the opening of the first public hubs and demonstrate how strategic infrastructure enables long-distance zero emission haulage,?the route was completed this morning by a DAF XF Electric eHGV. The 2026 International Truck of the Year travelled from Moto Exeter to Extra Baldock Services, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives of the consortium, Department for Transport and Innovate UK.

Minister for aviation, maritime and decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said: “Our £120m investment for zero emission HGVs and infrastructure is putting cleaner haulage firmly into the fast lane, and these first-of-their-kind hubs will give businesses the confidence to go electric. We’re also cutting up to £120,000 off the cost of new electric trucks, backing the rollout of zero emission lorries and the charging infrastructure they need – just like the new hubs at Extra Baldock and Moto Exeter. This means electric HGVs can run their routes, charge when it suits them, and help drive growth across the country.”

Neale Ryan, head of land and maritime transport, Innovate UK, added: “The Electric Freightway exemplifies how public-private collaboration can accelerate innovation and infrastructure deployment. By bringing together government funding, industry expertise and real-world trials, the ZEHID programme is helping to showcase that clean freight transport is viable, scalable and ready to deploy.”

The UK government has set a path to phase out the sale of new, non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles up to and including 26 tonnes by 2035, and all new non-zero-emission heavy goods vehicles by 2040.

Tom Dobson, chief executive of Extra, said: “The opening of the UK’s first public eHGV charging hubs is a watershed moment for electric freight. Extra is committed to supporting the decarbonisation of this crucial sector, and we look forward to working with GRIDSERVE to deliver a network of strategically located, high-power public eHGV charging hubs that enable electric trucks to operate in a sustainable manner.”

With Moto Exeter and Extra Baldock now operational and available for all hauliers to use, GRIDSERVE will open further eHGV charging sites at Tamworth, Thurrock, Leeds, Chester and Strensham North later this year.

Sam Clarke, head of eHGV programme for GRIDSERVE, added: “A key strength of the Electric Freightway programme has been the consortium of leading hauliers and logistics operators, whose real-world insight have been critical in shaping the design, layout and technical capability of the hubs. Their input has helped ensure the infrastructure reflects the operational needs of today’s electric trucks – from vehicle size and manoeuvrability to charging power requirements, dwell times and route planning – making the hubs genuinely fit for purpose.”