Felixstowe electric truck hub edges closer with £50,000 boost

Why it matters: The Port of Felixstowe sees over five thousand HGV journeys a day, of which only a small minority are currently electrified. The proposed hub aims to close that gap and support the wider decarbonisation of freight travelling through the region.

The details: The electric truck hub, led by Maritime Transport, is planned for a site on Anzani Avenue in Felixstowe. It could offer up to 6MW of high-speed, open-access charging for electric HGVs, other heavy vehicles and buses.

• The facility could serve hauliers, logistics operators, transport firms, employment sites and major infrastructure projects in the Freeport East region, including Sizewell C and other major energy projects.
• Freeport East's initial £50,000 contribution will help move the project through the next stage of planning and technical development, including preparatory work towards a future planning application to East Suffolk Council.
• The financial contribution could increase in subsequent phases.
• If plans progress smoothly, the hub could be up and running in 2028.

The bigger picture: The proposed facility would boost Freeport East's Green Freight Corridor initiative, launched in partnership with East Midlands Freeport in May 2024, which aims to decarbonise freight transport and support skills and employment along one of the UK's most important logistics routes.

What they're saying: Steve Beel, chief executive at Freeport East, said: "Decarbonising freight is one of the biggest challenges facing logistics in our region, and access to reliable and high-capacity charging infrastructure is a critical part of the solution.

"It is also a key part of maintaining the Port of Felixstowe's leadership position for international trade, with many of the leading shipping lines, logistics operators and freight customers wanting to see lower emissions in the sector. This facility, under the leadership of Maritime Transport, could help fill a real gap for hauliers and other operators. Anyone interested in how the project could support their decarbonisation objectives would be welcome to get in touch as the development evolves."

Tom Williams, deputy chief executive at Maritime Transport, added: "This funding allows us to take the next step in assessing what a full-scale, open-access eHGV charging facility in Felixstowe could look like. We're working closely with our specialist infrastructure partners and with Freeport East to test the case for the site, and we're encouraged by the progress so far."

What's next: Freeport East says it will continue to work with Maritime Transport as the project develops, and welcomes interest from hauliers, logistics operators and other stakeholders keen to learn more about the proposed facility.

The bottom line: With a small initial investment now on the table, Freeport East and Maritime Transport are taking the first steps towards a large-scale electric charging facility that could help decarbonise one of the UK's busiest freight corridors – though full planning and funding decisions still lie ahead.

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