CIP alumnus Voltempo secures government funding to create HGV Charging Hub

The UK Government has announced £200 million of funding to decarbonise freight – rolling out up to 370 zero emission trucks across the country whilst supporting small and medium-sized businesses developing their innovations and green technologies in this sector.

Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the £200 million government investment from the zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme will also deliver around 57 refuelling and electric charging sites, providing the crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise.

One of the recipients of this funding is Voltempo whose eFREIGHT 2030 project – supported by the University of Birmingham – is set to create up to 200 new jobs by 2030 and provide Birmingham with one of the UK’s first electric vehicle charging hubs dedicated to HGVs.

Voltempo have been recipients of support from the University via the ERDF-funded ATETA project and the Climate Innovation Platform (CIP) Incubator programme which is supported by HSBC UK. The CIP programme offers SMEs at various stages of development tailored packages of support to drive the commercialisation of innovative energy technologies and services that will help tackle climate change.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport, Richard Holden MP visited Voltempo at Tyseley Energy Park (TEP) to meet the team, find out more about the technology and tour the wider site.

Richard Holden MP said: “Freight and logistics are the beating heart of our economy, and it is only right that we celebrate the sector so that it gets the recognition and support it deserves. From boosting zero emission tech across freight to attracting the future generation of talent to the industry, we are working hard to drive innovation, create jobs and grow the economy by building a brighter, more innovative future for one of our most crucial industries.”

By 2026, Voltempo expect to have 11 fleets deploying electric HGVs and a nationwide HGV charging network using British-built chargers. Each charge hub will provide at least 6 charge bays and 1,000kW charging.

These dedicated HGV charging networks can help popular grocery companies such as Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer lower their transport emissions while protecting them from rising delivery costs associated with changing petrol and diesel prices. This could help prevent price hikes across supermarkets, allowing people to save money on food and groceries to help with the cost of living.

Professor Martin Freer, Director of the University’s Birmingham Energy Institute (BEI), said: “I would like to congratulate the Voltempo team on securing this momentous achievement. At the Birmingham Energy Institute, we are committed to working with innovators who are developing low carbon energy solutions that will accelerate our transition to net zero and it has been an absolute pleasure supporting Voltempo through our ATETA and CIP programmes and seeing the business grow from strength to strength.”

As part of the CIP programme Voltempo was initially given access to incubation space at TEP. Now having been based on site for three years, Michael Boxwell is exploring future developments that can take place on the TEP site.

Michael Boxwell, Group Chief Executive Officer, Voltempo said: “eFREIGHT 2030 sets us on a journey to net zero within the heavy road freight industry. Department for Transport support kick-starts the transformation, enabling us to create the charging infrastructure and bring in electric HGVs simultaneously. We hope our demonstration programme combined with world-class infrastructure will give fleet operators confidence they can deploy electric HGVs at scale.”

Michaela Wright, Head of Sustainability, HSBC UK said: “The breadth and calibre of CIP participants to date has been impressive, and we’re delighted that Voltempo has secured additional support to help scale up their business and enable the transition of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Working in partnership with the University of Birmingham and others, we will continue to bring together our combined knowledge, insight and international network to help climate solutions scale up and have real-world impact.”

The application round for businesses to join cohort four to the CIP Incubator programme delivered by the University of Birmingham’s Energy Institute and the Energy Systems Catapult is now open. SMEs interested in received tailored support to develop their energy technology innovations can find out more and apply.

David Horsfall, Director of Property at Tyseley Energy Park said: “It has been a pleasure to see Voltempo grow so substantially during their time at TEP, and we will continue to collaborate with the team to support the roll-out of their leading HGV charging infrastructure. By working with industrial partners like Voltempo we are able to test and demonstrate innovative technologies at scale. On site we are already home to the countries first low and zero carbon refuelling station; the world’s first ammonia to hydrogen conversion unit of its kind; the UK’s largest green hydrogen refuelling station and we look forward to continuing are collaboration with Michael and his team.”