Voltempo revamps team to drive net-zero retrofit & EV funding

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Today we report on a significant leadership appointment at an innovator in electric vehicle infrastructure.

Net Zero News can reveal that Voltempo, the firm specialising in ultra-fast EV charging solutions for heavy goods vehicles, has appointed Simon Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made on 2 December 2025, marking a new chapter for the company which has rapidly advanced high-power charging offerings for HGV fleets.

Voltempo emerged in response to growing demand for low-carbon freight transport and has focused on deploying charging stations capable of delivering megawatt-scale power. The company’s network of ultra-fast chargers aims to reduce charging times from hours to minutes, supporting operators in meeting tighter delivery schedules while lowering emissions. Smith succeeds the previous CEO and brings over 20 years of leadership experience in energy and infrastructure development.

In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, this leadership change comes as the government intensifies efforts to decarbonise road freight in line with the 2050 target. Voltempo’s technology aligns with the Department for Transport’s ambition to phase out sales of new diesel HGVs by 2040 and supports ongoing trials of high-power charging hubs at motorway service areas.

The appointment of Simon Smith is expected to accelerate Voltempo’s planned roll-out of charging corridors across England, Scotland and Wales. His mandate will include scaling up station deployments and securing additional partnerships with fleet operators and logistics firms. Net Zero News understands this forms part of the firm’s broader strategy to deliver over 50 ultra-fast chargers at key freight routes by 2027.

Funding for innovative charging infrastructure continues to feature in government and industry budgets. While Voltempo has yet to disclose precise investment figures under Smith’s leadership, it remains engaged with private equity backers and strategic partners in the automotive and energy sectors. Net Zero News understands that discussions are underway with bodies including the Department for Transport and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles to explore grant support and co-investment models.

This appointment also sits within the wider UK policy framework for transport decarbonisation, notably the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the Heavy Goods Vehicle Decarbonisation Roadmap. Both documents set out the need for rapid deployment of charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure to meet binding carbon budgets and support industry transition.

Communities along major freight corridors stand to benefit from reduced air and noise pollution as more HGVs switch to electric power. However, the industry faces challenges including grid connection upgrades and ensuring sufficient power availability at high-demand sites. Smith’s role will be critical in coordinating with local authorities and network operators to mitigate these constraints.

Net Zero News understands that over the next six months, Voltempo will outline its revised business plan and announce the first locations in its expanded charging network. Key milestones include securing planning consents for initial sites in the Midlands and North East and finalising procurement of charging units capable of delivering up to 1.5 MW per vehicle.

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