Nissan has officially launched the UK automotive industry’s first private shared charging station for electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs), marking a significant step toward decarbonising supply chain logistics. Located at the company’s flagship Sunderland manufacturing facility, the new £1.4 million depot is set to eliminate an estimated 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
This landmark initiative forms part of Nissan’s wider EV36Zero strategy—a vision for sustainable vehicle manufacturing that integrates electric mobility, renewable energy, and battery production under one roof.
The charging hub features seven high-capacity stations capable of powering up to ten eHGVs simultaneously, supporting a fleet of 25 trucks. With a rapid charging output of up to 360kW, the site will enable more than 60 daily eHGV deliveries to and from the plant, covering over 2.4 million kilometers a year—entirely emissions-free.
Michael Simpson, Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Nissan AMIEO, praised the initiative:
“It is fantastic for our plant to be leading the charge to an electrified supply chain with this project… The charging station looks brilliant and is a big step forward in Nissan’s EV36Zero vision, which brings together electric vehicles, zero-carbon energy, and battery manufacturing.”
The trucks will service routes reaching as far as Derby and will transport both vehicle components and finished cars, including deliveries to the Port of Tyne. This project not only reduces emissions but also paves the way for broader adoption of eHGVs across the industry.
In collaboration with logistics partners Fergusons, Yusen, and BCA, Nissan is participating in the Electric Freightway initiative—a consortium led by GRIDSERVE and funded under the UK Government’s £200 million Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme.
Daniel Kunkel, CEO of GRIDSERVE, emphasized the collaborative strength of the initiative:
“The decarbonisation of transport logistics is much stronger and reaches far wider when done in partnership… Depot charging is critical for the electrification of HGVs, going hand in hand with future public infrastructure developments.”
UK Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, echoed this sentiment, noting the government’s support for such industry-led efforts:
“We’re working closely with the road freight sector to slash transport emissions… It’s great to see Nissan taking advantage of our scheme, which is supporting high-paid jobs and putting money in the pockets of working people—all part of delivering our Plan for Change.”
As part of its long-term strategy, Nissan is exploring further opportunities to open the site to third-party hauliers, potentially expanding the environmental and logistical impact of this pioneering project.
The launch of this facility underscores Nissan’s commitment to environmental leadership in the automotive sector and positions Sunderland as a key hub in the UK’s transition to zero-emission logistics.
Source: Nissan Europe