Image: Amphos To support the fleet, Russell Group is installing two 720 kW double-port chargers and one 1.2 MW double-port charger. The charging units are supplied by Vestel Mobility and can deliver up to 3.75 MW of high-voltage DC charging power (combined). According to the companies, the system includes specialised charging connectors and cable systems for high-power charging and enables simultaneous charging to reduce vehicle downtime. The charging hub currently uses CCS technology and enables charging times of around 40 minutes. According to the press release, Amphos and Russell Group plan to upgrade the site to the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard in July 2026, which is expected to reduce charging times to around 20 minutes, bringing them closer to standard driver rest periods. According to Amphos, the Coatbridge site is the second megawatt charging hub for electric trucks in the UK and the first in Scotland. The company acted as the Independent Connections Provider (ICP) for the project and was responsible for the design and installation of the charging infrastructure. The project was funded in part by funding from Innovate UK. “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,” said Stephen Madden, Head of Engineering at Russell Group. “It’s highly efficient – and that transforms how we operate electric vehicles at scale.” Russell Group has also added three fully electric articulated trucks to its fleet as part of the project. The three electric MAN eTGX4x2 tractor can carry full 42-tonne loads and offer a range of more than 430 kilometres per charge. They will operate on logistics services for Tesco in Scotland. Return journeys to Russell’s Coatbridge rail hub will carry Tesco store deliveries for onward transport by rail, complementing the existing electric-locomotive freight service between Daventry and Coatbridge. Information via e-mail (charging stations), johngrussell.co.uk (trucks)
Liked by Audrey Anderson, Grace Rogers
Liked by Audrey Anderson, Grace Rogers
Liked by Audrey Anderson, Grace Rogers