Transport and logistics company John G. Russell (Russell Group) has had a megawatt-scale charging hub for electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) installed at its Coatbridge logistics hub.
Live as of May 2026, the system enables ultra-fast charging, with HGVs able to recharge in around 40 minutes using current Combined Charging System (CCS) charging technology. Planned Megawatt Charging System (MCS) upgrades in July 2026 are expected to reduce charging times to around 20 minutes - comparable to a standard driver rest break.
The new 4x2 tractor units are capable of carrying full 42-tonne loads and deliver a range of more than 430 km per charge.
The charging hub will support Russell Group’s battery-electric HGV operations for its customers in Scotland, enabling zero tailpipe emission deliveries.
Each charging unit, manufactured by Vestel Mobility, delivers up to 3.75 megawatts of high-voltage DC power. A specialised connector and cable system ensures safe handling, while onboard systems enable rapid battery recharge - supporting simultaneous charging and significantly reducing downtime.
To support the new fleet, Russell Group is installing two 720 kW double-port chargers and one 1.2 MW double-port charger.
The hub is only the second of its kind in the UK and the first in Scotland. It follows the UK’s first megawatt charging site at East Midlands Gateway in January 2026, where units deliver up to 1MW. At 3.75MW per charger - more than three times the power - the Russell Group site marks a step change in capability, enabling faster turnaround and making electric HGV operations viable at a greater scale.
Stephen Madden, Head of Engineering at Russell Group, said: “Megawatt charging allows us to bring a heavy goods vehicle in, charge it during a driver’s break, and send it straight back out fully charged. It’s highly efficient - and that transforms how we operate electric vehicles at scale.”
As an Independent Connections Provider (ICP), amphos. led the design and delivery of the charging system, Mark Oxtoby, CEO of amphos., commented: “This project marks a pivotal moment for electric freight in the UK. Moving from 1 MW to 3.75 MW charging isn’t just an upgrade - it’s a step-change that brings fully electric, high-utilisation HGV fleets within reach for fleet operators up and down the country.”
