Plans to build a charging hub designed for electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (eHGV) at Panattoni Park Aylesford in Kent have been announced by Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP and Volvo Group.
Based in Amsterdam, Milence is committed to building Europe’s first large-scale public charging network for all eHGVs, regardless of brand.
The company aims to build and operate 1,700 high-power public charging points, creating Europe’s largest public charging network for heavy-duty vehicles by 2027.
Milence currently operates hubs in mainland Europe and earlier this year announced plans for multiple sites in 10 key markets: the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Sweden, UK, Denmark, Italy, Spain and Poland.
Aylesford would be Milence’s second UK hub. Construction work has started on its first UK charging hub at the Port of Immingham in Humberside, with the first phase scheduled to be operational in the first three months of 2025.
The proposed Panattoni Park Aylesford hub is being developed in two phases. Milence is planning to create a charging hub offering eight charging bays.
The first phase will include two Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers, powering four bays and providing up to 400kW of power each, making it possible to charge an eHGV in 1.5 hours.
In the second phase, as soon as the technology is available in the UK, the Aylesford site will be expanded with an additional four bays, powered by Megawatt Charging System (MCS) chargers, making it possible to reduce the charging time for eHGVs to 45 minutes.
Milence CEO Anja van Niersen said: “We are moving from opening individual hubs to enabling the 1st Electric Routes across Europe. Kent, with its location between mainland Europe and London and the South East, is the perfect location for a second Milence charging hub in the UK.
“Combined with our charging technology, it means we’ll be able to meet the growing demand from eHGV operators and support the transition to sustainable road transport.”
The proposed investment by Milence at Panattoni Park Aylesford would complete the development, which first welcomed DHL in July 2022, later joined by Fowler Welch (part of the Culina Group), Evri, Marley Tiles, Amazon and finally Tesco.
Tony Watkins, Panattoni’s head of development, South East & London, said: “As the largest logistics developer in the UK and Europe, we know that many of our world-class clients are making a concerted effort towards net zero.
“The Milence partners, its technology and its plans for a Europe-wide network of charging hubs will support the growing demand for eHGVs.
“The arrival of Milence would mean all of Panattoni Park Aylesford is now fully let and delivering on our promise to create a logistics and distribution centre offering industry-leading environmental performance.”
With safe and secured parking, a driver’s lounge and a full range of Milence amenities, the hub is designed to provide the best rest and recharge experience.
If the proposals are approved by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, the plan is to start construction during 2025 and be ready to charge its first eHGV in 2026.
