A public truck charging site has opened at one of Europe’s biggest logistics hubs - Magna Park in Lutterworth.
The charging site, known as Electroway, has been initially fitted with 32 Kempower charging connectors, with plans to further increase the site to a total of around 180 connectors in the future.
It features a total of 2.4 megawatts’ worth of installed charging capacity, dynamically distributed across the site. The turnkey design, grid connection and installation was managed by CX Energy on behalf of Keoma Energy, which is building a network of renewables-integrated truck stops across the UK and plans to open a further 20 similar sites over the coming years. The Kempower hardware was supplied through Kempower’s sales and service partner, Charge Hub.
The truck parking infrastructure specialist Keoma Energy and has been funded by infrastructure investor Guardian Smart Infrastructure Management.
Given its links to the M1, M6, and M69 motorways, hundreds of freight drivers travel to Magna Park daily to access the 50 depots located on-site operated by major companies like Amazon, ASDA and Marks & Spencer. With 40% of the site’s tenants already having net-zero pledges in place, the new charging hub’s strategic location facilitates convenient on-site charging for the growing number of e-trucks visiting the park.
With on-site charging power reaching up to 400 kW, e-trucks can charge around 300 kWh during their 45-minute breaks. This can add up to 150 miles of range for an e-truck depending on the vehicle and setup, allowing drivers to keep to a strict schedule and the charging operator, Keoma Energy, to maintain a high customer turnover.
A second phase of installations is due to take place early next year and it’s expected that megawatt-level charging will be added, facilitating charging speeds of up to 1.2 MW and even faster charging times.
The newly-developed site serves as a fully-equipped truck stop with driver facilities like a lounge, showers and laundry service offered alongside the charging bays.
Rolle Nieminen, Kempower’s Head of Sales for the UK & Ireland, said: “The Electroway is a blueprint for dedicated public truck charging within logistics hubs. We’re supporting Keoma Energy to provide convenient facilities for busy, on-the-go fleets and making electrification ever-more achievable for companies operating in the area. Because the technology scales, the site can start small and grow in line with demand as e-trucks become more common."
Tylor Hartwell, CEO of Keoma Energy, said: “To support a successful truck transition, logistics operators need confidence that available charging is convenient, fast and reliable enough to keep freight moving on schedule - at a scale that matches the pace of electrification. The site at Magna Park delivers exactly that, giving drivers and depot operators a dependable place to charge without disrupting their routes - and it's just the first step in the network we're building to support the country's freight fleets as they go electric.”
