Duracell and Fleete Lead UK Ultra‑Rapid EV Charging Expansion

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In recent months, the UK transport sector has witnessed significant developments that reinforce the shift towards ultra‑rapid electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, especially across fleets and commercial nodes. Notable progressors include Duracell’s entry into the charging market, Fleete’s groundbreaking hub at the Port of Tilbury, and supportive government policy driving rollout in even the heaviest segments.

Duracell has launched a new nationwide ultra‑fast EV charging network, backed by a planned investment programme exceeding £200 million. The venture, branded Duracell E‑Charge hubs, will deliver charging speeds of up to 1,000 kW and employ a driver‑focused design emphasizing maximum uptime and multiple payment methods, including contactless, in‑app, and plug‑and‑go. The first six sites are due to open imminently, with widespread rollout scheduled throughout 2026 and beyond. This marks a bold entrance for Duracell into the EV charging domain, injecting significant capital and ambition into nationwide ultra‑rapid infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Fleete has broken ground on what is likely the UK’s largest dedicated EV charging facility for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and commercial fleets at the Port of Tilbury in Essex. The 5 MW shared‑use hub will host 16 rapid chargers, capable of supporting continuous 24/7 operation for large fleets. Slated to become operational by December 2025, this site fills a crucial operational gap for heavy fleet electrification and logistics decarbonisation at scale.

In addition to infrastructure growth, government support continues to provide momentum. The UK Government’s recently unveiled 10‑year Infrastructure Strategy earmarks £2.6 billion capital investment between 2026–27 and 2029–30 towards decarbonising transport. Of this sum, £1.4 billion is allocated to the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) for zero‑emission vehicle rollout and charging infrastructure, while up to £200 million is designated for Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Delivery (ZEHID) to support the heavy goods sector.

These developments align with broader market trends. In the first quarter of 2025, the UK added 3,141 new charge points – a 29 percent increase – bringing the total to 76,840. Ultra‑rapid devices (150 kW+) grew nearly 66 percent, reaching 7,726 units and making up 22 percent of all new installations. The number of hubs with six or more rapid chargers rose by 49 to 586 nationwide. Meanwhile, Motor Fuel Group (MFG) surpassed 1,000 ultra‑rapid charging bays across 170 hubs under its EV Power network, backed by a £400 million investment plan to install approximately 3,000 ultra‑rapid chargers by 2030. MFG currently represents around 12 percent of the national ultra‑rapid network and 20 percent within the M25.

What this means:
– The EV charging landscape is entering a new era where ultra‑rapid and heavy‑duty infrastructure is scaling up rapidly, not just for private vehicles but crucially for fleets and logistics.
– Duracell’s arrival brings fresh competition and investment momentum to the ultra‑fast charging sector, potentially accelerating consumer access to high‑power chargers.
– Fleete’s Port of Tilbury hub demonstrates pragmatic solutions to fleet electrification needs, revealing a maturing market focus on continuous operations and heavy usage scenarios.
– Government funding through OZEV and ZEHID provides essential financial backing that underpins both public and commercial sector deployment strategies.
– The growth in ultra‑rapid installations and charging hubs underscores the increasing importance of en‑route and destination charging infrastructure in reducing range anxiety and facilitating wider EV adoption.

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