Megawatt Charging & Depot Grants Power UK Net‑Zero Transport Push

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In January 2026, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium unveiled the UK’s first megawatt‑scale electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) charging site at East Midlands Gateway, using Voltempo’s HyperCharger system. The station can deliver up to one megawatt of charging power enough to charge eHGVs in under 30 minutes. The hub, set up to support Kuehne+Nagel’s road operations, marks the beginning of a planned national rollout of 35 depot charging hubs under the Department for Transport’s £200 million Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme.

Meanwhile, the Depot Charging Scheme grant, launched in July 2025 in collaboration with Cenex and the Energy Saving Trust, continues to provide fleet operators including those running HGVs, vans, and coaches with up to 75 percent reimbursement for charger procurement and installation, capped at £1 million per applicant. The programme is scheduled to run until 28 November 2025 or until funding is exhausted.

These developments come amid a broader surge in UK charging infrastructure. By early November 2025, an additional 777 charging devices were added in October alone, bringing the total to 86,798 across 44,142 locations. Rapid and ultra‑rapid chargers saw particularly strong growth, accounting for 378 of those new devices. Charging hubs locations featuring at least six rapid or ultra‑rapid points are also expanding, increasing by 31 percent year‑on‑year.

Looking back further, in the first half of 2025 public charging capacity grew by 27 percent, with 8,670 new charge points added nationwide. The number of high‑powered (150 kW+) units grew nearly 23 percent, outpacing slower devices for the first time. Charging hubs similarly increased, with 136 new hubs deployed, bringing the total to 673.

These infrastructure advancements are aligned with the UK Government’s broader support packages. In July 2025, a £63 million government boost was announced to expand access to EV charging: a £25 million grant provides cross‑pavement charging links for homes without driveways, offering potential savings of up to £1,500 per year. The same package includes £8 million for electrifying NHS fleets across more than 200 sites and support for depot charging installations. Modernised signage to direct drivers to EV hubs from major roads was also introduced.

What this means:
The rollout of megawatt‑scale chargers and depot‑focused grants signals a major escalation in the UK’s transport decarbonisation infrastructure. Rapid‑charging capability for eHGVs is no longer constrained to future projections it is becoming operational. By supporting rapid uptake among heavy‑duty fleet operators through financial incentives and cutting‑edge technology, the UK is positioning itself to tackle one of the toughest sectors to electrify.

Alongside consumer charging expansion, this dual approach addresses necessary infrastructure gaps across freight and logistics. Rapid growth in charging hubs even as high‑power installations outpace slower variants also underscores a strategic focus on enabling long‑distance travel and large‑scale fleet electrification.

Together, the advances in megawatt charging, grant support for depots and local authorities, and home‑charging solutions reflect a coherent strategy to electrify the full spectrum of UK road transport. With operational infrastructure now in place and funding mechanisms active, the path toward net‑zero transport is gaining tangible momentum.

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