Stagecoach and partners launch first eHGV charging hub in Stockton, paving the way for national fleet electrification

Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, is accelerating its commitment to fleet electrification by successfully completing the first eHGV charging trial at its Stockton-on-Tees depot in partnership with e-fleet solutions provider VEV. This landmark achievement is part of Stagecoach's ambitious plan to advance its B2B charging infrastructure and support the decarbonisation of commercial transport, including heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

The Stockton depot has been transformed into a key charging hub through a new partnership with PD Ports and the Port of Middlesbrough, creating an essential service for hauliers that service the port and transport goods across the North East.

Last week, a Volvo eHGV successfully completed a critical charging session at the Stockton site, demonstrating the robust performance of the new infrastructure. The eHGV underwent a two-hour, 150kW DC charge, during which the system maintained a consistent charging curve with zero drop-off throughout the session.

The session was powered by VEV's smart charging and digital energy management platform, VEV-IQ, which provided Stagecoach with full visibility into the session performance - from charging efficiency and power delivery to driver experience and asset utilisation. These insights are crucial for Stagecoach and its partners to optimise infrastructure investment, improve uptime, and scale EV operations with confidence.

The successful trial marks the beginning of Stagecoach’s first phase of national rollout, which is expected to take 12 months. Stagecoach is set to open seven eHGV charging hubs across the UK at the following depots: Stockton, Chesterfield, Aberdeen, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Cambridge and Lea Interchange (London).

Marvin Smith, Head of Solution Sales at Stagecoach, said:

“Decarbonising transport is a national effort, and by successfully opening our first eHGV charging hub in Stockton and partnering with key logistics players like PD Ports, we are providing the reliable, high-performance infrastructure the industry needs. This trial proves that our B2B charging strategy is robust, scalable, and ready to support the next generation of electric fleets across the UK, securing a cleaner future for commercial transport.”

Duncan Goncalves, Transport Manager at PD Ports, added:

“Here at PD, we have been delighted to support Stagecoach in trialling their new infrastructure at Stockton. With our recent acquisition of a FME Volvo, we are keen to understand what charging solutions are available outside of our operating centres. The accessibility of the chargers and overall space in the Stockton yard is a huge advantage to hauliers looking to access and charge their eHGVs.”

Simon Cubitt, Commercial Director for Bus and Coach at VEV stated:

“Our VEV-IQ platform provided Stagecoach with the deep, actionable data needed to validate the performance and reliability of this new infrastructure. This visibility into charging efficiency and asset utilisation is fundamental to helping operators like Stagecoach build highly efficient, profitable, and dependable electric HGV charging networks.”