Aegis Energy secures £100m funding for commercial vehicle clean energy hubs

The UK's first network of clean energy refuelling hubs for commercial vehicles has secured £100m in funding from US energy transformation investment manager Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.

The project, led by Aegis Energy, will create five initial sites by 2027 in Sheffield, Immingham, Warrington, Corby and Towcester, with plans to expand to 30 locations by 2030.

Each facility will offer multiple clean fuel options, including electric charging, hydrogen, HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) and bio-CNG (bio-compressed natural gas).

Christopher Thorneycroft-Smith, Co-founder at Aegis said, "Aegis Energy was founded to help decarbonise the largest contributors to the most emitting sector in the UK.

"There is growing pressure from regulators and consumers for commercial vehicles to decarbonise, making it a necessity for winning new business and maintaining customer loyalty.

“Yet the lack of appropriate infrastructure is typically number one or number two on the list of barriers for fleet operators."

The hubs will be capable of serving over 40 HGVs and 25 vans simultaneously, whilst providing essential facilities for drivers including secure parking, showers and food services.

Keith Gains, Managing Director and UK Regional Lead for Quinbrook, added, "Quinbrook is uniquely placed to capitalise on emerging investment opportunities that drive impactful emissions reduction in hard-to-abate sectors like transport.

“Targets under the UK's Zero Emission Vehicle mandate highlight the existing gaps in the infrastructure needed to provide accessible clean energy to transport fleets."