British startup Aegis Energy has secured £100 million ($112 million) in funding from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners to develop the UK’s first network of clean, multi-energy refueling hubs for commercial vehicles, the company said on Monday.
According to the statement, the investment will support the construction of five initial stations designed to provide electric charging alongside refueling for hydrogen, bio-compressed natural gas and hydrotreated vegetable oil.
The statement added that the first hub will open in early 2026, and the full network of five will be operational by 2027. Aegis plans to expand to 30 hubs by the end of the decade.
The hubs aim to address critical gaps in infrastructure for decarbonizing transport, the UK’s highest-emitting sector, responsible for 29 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial vehicles account for 10 percent of that total, making them a key focus for efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Scalable Solutions for Fleet Operators
Christopher Thorneycroft-Smith, co-founder of Aegis Energy, said the company’s mission is to remove the barriers preventing fleet operators from transitioning to cleaner energy. “Our hubs will provide scalable solutions that make it easier for operators to embrace low and zero-emission technologies,” he said in the statement.
Each hub will accommodate simultaneous charging or refueling for more than 40 heavy goods vehicles and 25 vans while also offering amenities such as safe parking, clean showers and rest areas for drivers. Collectively, the hubs are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 14,300 tonnes annually.
Commitment to Sustainable Transport
Quinbrook, a global investment manager specializing in energy transition projects, described the investment as a milestone in sustainable transport. “The UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate highlights the urgent need for accessible clean energy infrastructure,” said Keith Gains, Quinbrook’s UK managing director. “This partnership positions Aegis Energy to lead the market in creating solutions for hard-to-abate sectors like transport.”
Construction of the first station will begin in 2025, with planned locations including Sheffield, Immingham, Warrington, Corby and Towcester.
The announcement marks Quinbrook’s first venture into sustainable transport, complementing its portfolio of renewable energy and storage projects in the UK, US and Australia.
