UK EV Freight Hubs Accelerate with New Ultra‑Rapid & eHGV Infrastructure

Welcome to Net Zero News, your daily briefing on the UK’s transition to a low‑carbon future.

In the past 12 months to early 2026, the UK has seen a remarkable expansion in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with a pronounced focus on ultra‑rapid chargers and freight‑sector electrification. Public charging capacity witnessed a 19.1% increase last year, adding over 14,000 new charge points and taking the total to nearly 87,800 devices across more than 45,000 locations  covering en‑route, destination and on‑street access. Ultra‑rapid chargers (150 kW+) led the surge, rising 41% to reach 9,893 units, while the number of charging hubs defined as sites with six or more rapid or ultra‑rapid devices grew 39% to a total of 748 . Among leading providers, Ionity surpassed 700 ultra‑rapid 350 kW+ chargers across the UK as of January 2026. This more than doubles its capacity since 2025, now accounting for one‑third of the UK’s public 350 kW+ charging infrastructure. Ionity remains on track to exceed 1,000 ultra‑rapid charge points by the end of 2026, with new sites planned for Fort William, Inverness and Aston .InstaVolt is playing a key role in delivering ultra‑rapid access in underserved areas. Its milestone 2,000th charger was installed at a Co‑op site in Blackfen, London, strengthening connectivity along the A2 corridor near the M25. The firm is also constructing a 30‑bay ultra‑rapid hub at the Fonthill Estate on the A303 near Stonehenge, with construction due to begin August 2025 and an opening slated for late spring 2026 Osprey Charging continues its aggressive rollout, ending 2025 with over 1,500 rapid and ultra‑rapid charge points following the launch of 20 new ultra‑rapid hubs comprising 200 bays. Notably, Osprey now claims more open‑access rapid chargers than BP Pulse .In the freight and commercial vehicle sector, development is accelerating around HGV and depot charging. Fleete broke ground on a landmark 5 MW commercial vehicle EV charging hub at the Port of Tilbury, set to go live in December 2025 with 16 rapid chargers supporting heavy‑duty fleet operations 24/7.  More recently, Fleete secured planning approval for a 26‑bay shared eHGV charging hub at Hams Hall Distribution Park near Birmingham, strategically located in the UK’s logistics ‘golden triangle’ Policy support continues to accelerate uptake. The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) was extended through 31 March 2026, offering eligible organisations up to 75% support towards EV charge point purchase and installation, capped at £350 per socket. Alongside this, an EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleet vehicles, also offering up to 75% support, remains open until the end of March 2026 ( Businesses are being urged to act swiftly ahead of these deadlines.

What this means:
The UK’s electric transport infrastructure is scaling rapidly in response to growing demand. The surge in ultra‑rapid charging capacity and charging hubs provides drivers with greater convenience and confidence in journey planning. This growth signals robust public and private sector commitment to resourcing EV adoption.

For logistics and commercial fleets, the emergence of dedicated eHGV charging hubs marks a critical shift. Facilities such as Tilbury and Hams Hall provide the high-capacity, 24/7 infrastructure necessary to support electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, facilitating broader decarbonisation of the transport sector.

Meanwhile, government-backed grant schemes remain vital enablers for both public and private sector deployment. Yet the approaching deadlines underscore the urgency for businesses to secure funding and avoid missed opportunities.

By combining strategic infrastructure growth with targeted policy support, the UK is reinforcing momentum toward net-zero transport, ensuring a scalable, resilient national EV ecosystem.

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