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Milence has officially launched its inaugural UK-based public charging hub for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), marking a significant leap forward in the nation’s electrified freight landscape. Located in Immingham, North Lincolnshire, the cutting-edge facility offers a default tariff of £0.399/kWh (excluding VAT), aligning with the company’s pricing structure across Europe.
At a high-profile launch event attended by key figures from the road transport sector, Milence CEO Anja van Niersen underscored the company’s commitment to cost parity, stating that the price was “very decent for the UK market because everything here is twice as expensive”.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, Milence is a formidable collaboration between Daimler Truck, Traton Group, and Volvo Group. Their shared ambition? Establishing the most extensive electric truck charging network in Europe. By 2027, the initiative aims to deploy at least 1,700 high-performance charging points across the UK and the continent.
Drivers can use a mobility or fleet service card to access the site or open a direct contract with Milence. “We don’t need that many trucks to have a very good utilisation of the hub, and that’s very good news,” van Niersen added. “If we have 20 or 30 trucks using it frequently, that’s already pretty good and would maybe provide the trigger to start expanding. But it’s more about having a standard influx of trucks so they have it in their weekly route planning. Once we have these customers the news spreads quickly. Our sites in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium are above our expectations for 2025. We only need a few front-runners who will include these sites in their daily traffic patterns to grow utilisation and give us the confidence to keep building.”
Strategically positioned on the A180, with seamless access to the M180, M18, and M1 motorways, the Immingham hub is set to become a crucial nexus for UK-European freight movement. The site directly supports Associated British Ports (ABP) operations, which handle over 30 Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) and Lo-Lo (lift-on/lift-off) sailings per week—an essential trade artery linking the UK with Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic region.
Equipped with four state-of-the-art CCS chargers, the hub provides eight dedicated charging bays, each delivering up to 400kW of power. This is just the beginning—phase two of development will see the introduction of Megawatt Charging System (MCS) technology, unlocking even greater efficiency for electric HGVs.
Beyond its charging capabilities, the site prioritizes driver welfare and security. Features include secure, fenced parking, advanced access control, 24/7 camera surveillance, and essential facilities such as restrooms and vending machines—ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for long-haul drivers.
Sustainability is woven into every aspect of the hub’s design and construction. All charging stations operate on 100% renewable energy while CO2-reducing construction techniques—such as long-lasting, eco-friendly concrete—ensure a 30-year lifespan with minimal environmental impact.
Strategically nestled within ABP’s 311-hectare deep-water port, the hub is embedded in a broader renewable energy ecosystem. With over 1,000 meters of planned heavy-duty quays and a 43.1-hectare reclaimed riverbed dedicated to offshore wind and green energy projects, the Immingham hub represents more than just an infrastructure upgrade—it’s a bold statement about the future of sustainable freight transport.
“The opening marks a significant step in the UK’s transition to electric road transport,” van Niersen concluded. “This strategically located site underscores our commitment to providing reliable and accessible charging infrastructure for the growing number of electric truck operators. This is just the first step in our UK expansion, and we are dedicated to working with all stakeholders to accelerate the shift towards a sustainable future for the transport industry.”
Added Mike Nakrani, chief executive of e-fleet specialist VEV: “Today is the culmination of two years working closely with Milence to deliver this first step in Milence’s vision for electric heavy goods vehicles in the UK.
“VEV played a key role in securing the prime site and provided a full turnkey solution from design to construction, creating the advanced HGV charging facility.
“From securing power and planning approvals to designing for future solar power and mitigating flood risk, VEV delivered the build in record time, proudly maintaining the sustainable and eco-conscious approach required by Milence.”
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