Megawatt compatible charging infrastructure marks milestone for zero-emission freight
Voltempo has begun production of its megawatt charging system (MCS), the HyperCharger, marking a milestone for the UK’s transition to zero-emission road freight.
image: Voltempo
Sir Vince Cable, Chair of the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, officially opened the facility at Tyseley Energy Park (TEP) in Birmingham, where Voltempo has grown over the past 20 months, from three employees to a team of over 50.
Voltempo is the lead partner and charging infrastructure provider of eFREIGHT 2030, a consortium of 17 companies made up of OEMs, fleets, route and vehicle optimisation software providers, operators, researchers, retailers. They have been brought together as part of the UK Government’s £200 million Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator Programme (ZEHID), delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
Under the eFREIGHT 2030 programme, seven fleets and two charging hubs are deploying Voltempo HyperChargers, each with at least six bays and 1,000kW capacity, while a further two fleets are adopting Voltempo’s lower-powered chargers.
The first eFREIGHT 2030 site is already operational, and by the second quarter of 2026 will have offer the UK’s largest network of megawatt-capable chargers. Each HyperCharger is designed for on-site upgrades to support trucks with megawatt capable charge ports when they arrive in the UK.
HyperCharger is purpose-built for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), with an innovative ‘halo’ design that lifts and protects the heavy charging cables, preventing damage and making operation safer and more practical in busy logistics depots. Its intuitive LED interface removes the complexity often associated with charging, and with no touchscreens, cards, or apps required, drivers can simply plug in and charge.
Capable of delivering over 1MW of dynamically distributed power to up to six vehicles at once, the HyperCharger can be scaled across multiple charge points to support large fleets.
Michael Boxwell, chief executive officer of Voltempo, said, “Starting series production of the HyperCharger is a defining moment – not just for Voltempo, but for the UK’s journey towards zero-emission freight. Our technology has been designed from day one to meet the real-world needs of logistics operators, and we’re proud to be creating green jobs and driving innovation right here in Birmingham.”
Sir Vince Cable said, “I’m delighted to officially open Voltempo’s new facility and mark the start of series production for the HyperCharger. It is central to the success of the eFREIGHT 2030 programme and demonstrates how British innovation can create skilled jobs, attract investment, and build the infrastructure we need to compete in the global clean transport economy.”
David Horsfall, director of property and sustainability at Tyseley Energy Park, said, “It has been a pleasure to see Voltempo grow so substantially during their time at TEP. HyperCharger is a leading example of how the UK can innovate to support zero-emission freight. By working with industrial partners like Voltempo we can test and demonstrate cutting-edge technologies at scale – further strengthening TEP’s role as a national hub for clean energy and low-carbon transport.”
Neale Ryan, head of land and maritime transport at Innovate UK, commented, “This showcases UK innovation in zero-emission freight, and highlights the power of UK support in helping companies progress through multiple stages of development.
“The ZEHID programme, funded by the UK Government and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, will generate valuable insights into the future of road transport. Innovate UK is proud to support this effort, which plays a key role in accelerating the shift to zero-emission freight and advancing the UK’s net-zero ambitions.”