SSE Energy Solutions unveils electric HGV charging hub in Birmingham

29/11/2023

Author: Mankirat Kaur

SSE Energy Solutions is set to construct its first-ever fully electric charging hub for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) at Tyseley Energy Park in Birmingham. Positioned just minutes from the A45 in the city's east, this hub will accommodate up to four electric HGVs simultaneously.

The hub's feature lies in its powerful 360 kW chargers, capable of delivering a 300 km of charge within 1-2 hours. This charging capability, contingent on the vehicle and battery type, marks a step forward in the pursuit to decarbonise the road freight sector.

With a mere 0.3% of HGVs on British roads currently electric, SSE's Tyseley Energy Park initiative has the aim to combat the environmental impact of diesel-run HGVs. Despite constituting only 5% of vehicles on UK roads, these diesel HGVs contribute 17% of all road transport emissions.

SSE has already forged partnerships with transport solutions and logistics businesses, including DHL, to expedite the transition to battery-powered HGVs. SSE's plan is to establish 500 ultra-rapid charging hubs for electric cars and commercial fleets in the UK and Ireland by 2030, with several sites already operational.

Tyseley Energy Park, owned by the Webster and Horsfall Group, is a key player in the green energy landscape. Home to the UK's largest hydrogen refueling station and a 10 MW waste-wood biomass power plant, the park generates electricity sufficient to power 17,000 homes.

Ben Brickwood, EV project development manager for HGV at SSE Energy Solutions, said: “The development of our first all-electric HGV charging hub at Tyseley Energy Park is a crucial step for SSE as we continue to enable the decarbonisation of Britain’s transport infrastructure and industries. Drawing on our expertise and experience with bus depot electrification and the roll out of EV passenger car hubs, this project demonstrates our commitment to accelerating the transition to electric for all vehicles and building the framework needed to support their rollout.

We believe that through investments like this, and by working closely with partners like Webster and Horsfall, we can play a leading role in driving down transport emissions and building a net zero future in Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond.”

David Horsefall, Director of Property at Tyseley Energy Park, said: “We are delighted to welcome SSE to Tyseley Energy Park and see the launch of their ambitious new HGV charging hub. This will be an enormous boost for the area which was recently re-branded as the Green Energy Innovation Quarter for Birmingham. This first of a kind HGV charging station will complement the clean fuels already on offer at TEPs low and zero carbon refuelling station and is a major step forward in the region's efforts to improve air quality and decarbonise.”