Sunderland, UK – July 17, 2025 – In a landmark move for Britain’s automotive and logistics sectors, Nissan has unveiled a £1.4 million electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) charging station at its Sunderland plant—the first of its kind in the UK. Developed in collaboration with leading haulage partners Fergusons Transport, Yusen Logistics, and BCA, the initiative is a major step forward in decarbonising road freight and transforming the supply chain into a fully electric, end-to-end system.
The new facility marks a significant milestone in Nissan’s EV36Zero vision—a bold blueprint that fuses electric vehicle production, renewable energy, and battery manufacturing into a cohesive, zero-carbon ecosystem. Now, with the addition of this high-capacity eHGV depot, the carmaker is accelerating its mission to create a cleaner, more efficient logistics operation.
A Groundbreaking Collaboration
The eHGV charging hub—comprising seven high-speed charging stations capable of simultaneously charging up to ten electric trucks at 360kW—has been developed under the leadership of GRIDSERVE as part of the Electric Freightway consortium. The project is funded by the UK Government’s £200 million Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
“This is a UK first, and we’re incredibly proud to be leading the charge towards an electrified supply chain,” said Michael Simpson, Vice President Supply Chain Management, Nissan AMIEO. “This charging station represents a vital link in our sustainability journey and is a testament to the strong partnerships that have brought this vision to life.”
The hub will initially power a fleet of 25 electric trucks, enabling over 60 deliveries to and from the Sunderland plant daily. With each truck expected to travel more than 2.4 million kilometres annually, the project will eliminate approximately 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year.
Redefining the Automotive Supply Chain
By enabling fully electric transportation of parts from suppliers across the UK—including as far afield as Derby—as well as the movement of finished vehicles to and from the Port of Tyne, Nissan’s Sunderland facility becomes the first automotive site in Britain to implement a private, shared eHGV charging station on-site. The initiative is set to redefine how major manufacturing facilities approach sustainable logistics.
“This charging station is a bold signal of intent,” said Daniel Kunkel, CEO of GRIDSERVE. “Depot charging is essential for the widescale electrification of HGVs, and this shared site with Nissan is leading the way. When we work together, the impact of decarbonisation efforts multiplies.”
The project doesn’t stop here. Nissan is already exploring how the infrastructure can be opened to additional hauliers, expanding the station’s impact and ensuring optimal utilisation. It’s a scalable model that could inspire similar projects across the UK and beyond.
A Vision Aligned with National Goals
UK Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, applauded the move: “We’re working closely with the road freight sector to slash transport emissions, and our £200m zero emission HGV programme is helping businesses across the country electrify their fleets. It’s fantastic to see Nissan taking full advantage of this support, backing high-quality jobs and driving positive change in the UK economy.”
Driving Toward a Cleaner Future
As global demand for sustainable supply chains continues to grow, Nissan’s investment in electrified freight logistics positions it at the forefront of a cleaner, smarter transport revolution. More than a charging station, the new facility is a blueprint for the future—an integrated solution that combines innovation, partnership, and policy to tackle one of the most critical challenges of our time.
With partners aligned and the infrastructure in place, Sunderland’s newest addition isn’t just charging trucks—it’s charging toward a net-zero future.
