© Aegis Energy

Aegis Energy has secured £100 million from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners to create clean, multi-energy refuelling hubs for commercial vehicles. These hubs will offer hydrogen, bio-CNG, HVO, and electric charging. The project aims to close a gap in the UK’s transport decarbonization plan.

The funding will support five hubs, expected to open by 2027. The first site will begin operations in early 2026. These facilities are designed to help commercial fleets move to cleaner fuels.

Reducing Emissions in Transport

Transport contributes 29% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial vehicles account for 10% of this total. Regulations require non-zero-emission vans and trucks to be phased out by 2040. However, a lack of infrastructure slows progress. Aegis Energy’s hubs will provide flexible energy options to assist operators.

Battery electric vehicles (EVs) are common in the push for lower emissions. Yet, they face challenges like limited range and long charging times. Grid issues also make EV adoption harder for fleet operators. Hydrogen offers an alternative with fast refuelling and suitability for heavier vehicles.

Brad Miller, Head of Product and Pricing for LCVs at Stellantis, highlighted hydrogen’s benefits. He said, “There is no shortage of interest [in hydrogen] from fleets with operational cycles being crippled by charging times. Infrastructure is the hurdle, but there’s lots of positive activity going on there.”

Over half of UK van drivers (52%) lack home charging access. Public infrastructure is critical to solving this problem.

High-Performance Refuelling Hubs

The first hubs will open in Sheffield, Immingham, Warrington, Corby, and Towcester. Aegis Energy plans to expand to 30 hubs by 2030. These hubs will combine high-speed electric charging with hydrogen refuelling, bio-CNG, HVO, and AdBlue. Each site will support over 40 HGVs and 25 vans at the same time. Additional features include secure truck parking, showers, rest areas, and food options for drivers.

Christopher Thorneycroft-Smith, Co-Founder of Aegis Energy, explained the approach. He said, “The transition will take time and will differ for each fleet. By providing public hubs with multiple clean energy options, we’re giving operators the ability to choose how they make the shift.”

Each hub will reduce carbon emissions by about 14,300 tonnes annually. This effort aligns with the UK’s net-zero goals.

Investment in a Cleaner Future

For Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, this is their first venture into sustainable transport. Keith Gains, Managing Director and UK Regional Lead at Quinbrook, emphasized its importance. He said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for Aegis Energy to set the standard for multi-energy refuelling hubs. We’re excited to help scale this infrastructure across the UK.”

Construction of the first hub will begin in 2025. The long-term goal is to support millions of vehicles through a network of 30 hubs by 2030.