A charging hub for electric HGVs (eHGVs) is to be installed at a Kent industrial estate - part of what will become Europe’s first large-scale public charging network.

The hub featuring eight bays - capable of charging an eHGV in 90 minutes - will be at Panattoni Park in Aylesford and run by Milence, a joint venture between Daimler Truck, the Traton Group and Volvo.

Milence, based in Amsterdam, aims to build 1,700 high-power charging points, open to all eHGVs, by 2027.

The Aylesford site would be Milence’s second UK hub as construction work has started on one in Humberside which is due to be operational early in 2025.

A planned second phase, once the technology is available in the UK, would see the Aylesford site expanded with an additional four bays, powered by Megawatt Charging System (MCS) chargers, making it possible to reduce the charging time to just 45 minutes.

Anja van Niersen, CEO of Milence, said: “Kent, with its location between mainland Europe and London and the South East, is the perfect location.

“It means we’ll be able to meet the growing demand from eHGV operators and support the transition to sustainable road transport.”