Welch’s opens megawatt eHGV charging hub in Cambridge

Welch’s Transport has opened a new megawatt-scale eHGV charging hub at its Cambridge headquarters as part of the eFreight 2030 scheme.  

Powered by Voltempo’s HyperCharger technology, the new Duxford hub features six high-power charging bays, with two full-length drive-in, drive-out bays for complete tractor and trailer combinations and four tractor-unit bays, delivering up to 1MW of power dynamically distributed across the site.

A second six bay 1MW charging hub at Bedford will soon be energised – also part of the eFreight 2030 project – giving the family-owned operator high-power charging infrastructure across both of its depots.

Welch’s began its electric HGV journey in 2023 with a 19-tonne Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide.

In October 2024, it became the first operator to put an electric tractor unit on the road through eFreight 2030, introducing the first of two 42-tonne Renault Trucks E-Tech T delivered through the programme.

Further investment has seen a third E-Tech T and a DAF electric tractor unit join the fleet, with three 28-tonne Renault Trucks E-Techs also on order.

By January 2027, 12% of Welch’s fleet will be electric.

Chris Welch, Managing Director, Welch Group, said: “We made the decision early on that we wanted to be at the forefront of electric freight, but it has always had to make commercial sense.

“We’ve invested in the trucks, learned how to operate them in the real world and now have the high-power infrastructure at Cambridge and Bedford to support the next stage.

“We’re growing the business and winning significant new contracts, with our sustainability credentials increasingly important to customers.”