GRIDSERVE has begun constructing new public charging hubs designed specifically for electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs). The sites, located at Extra Baldock on the A1(M) and Moto Exeter on the M5, will cater to articulated lorries and other large commercial vehicles.
The project forms part of the Electric Freightway initiative, a UK-wide programme supported by the government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) scheme, managed by Innovate UK. Its aim is to make high-power public charging accessible to freight operators and help reduce emissions from the road haulage sector.
Each Electric Freightway site will feature four to eight ultra-rapid charging bays, drive-through access for articulated vehicles, and wide manoeuvring areas planned with HGV swept-path modelling. Facilities will include lighting, CCTV, marked walkways and clear signage.
The drive-through layout is designed to eliminate the need for reversing or complex positioning, making charging quicker and safer for drivers.
Locations and timeline
- Extra Baldock (A1(M), Junction 10) – serving routes between London, the Midlands and the North.
- Moto Exeter (M5, Junction 30) – covering the South West freight corridor including Devon and Cornwall.
Five additional sites are currently in the planning stage. The first two hubs are expected to open by December 2025.
Infrastructure to support zero-emission freight
Heavy goods vehicles account for around 5% of vehicles on UK roads but are responsible for nearly 20% of transport-related emissions. A shortage of suitable public charging facilities has been one of the key barriers to electrifying long-distance freight.
Under the Electric Freightway project, GRIDSERVE’s new hubs will be publicly accessible and located at key motorway junctions. The infrastructure is intended to allow logistics and fleet operators to integrate electric vehicles into existing operations with minimal disruption.
The new hubs will also incorporate several driver-focused safety measures, such as elevated connectors suitable for higher cabs, wide walkways, and improved lighting for 24-hour visibility.
