UK food wholesaler Bidfood has initiated the electrification of its Slough distribution hub, which serves Greater London and the Thames Valley. The project, delivered by Scania group subsidiary Erinion, utilizes overhead charging technology from Kempower to maintain efficient operations within the existing facility footprint.
The installation features four Kempower Control Units mounted on a gantry system, paired with cable arms for overhead access. These units are powered by a single 600 kW Kempower Power Unit and can deliver up to 160 kW per charger. This setup allows electric trucks to recharge during loading windows lasting between 45 minutes and two hours.
Currently, two electric trucks are in operation at the site. The modular design of the gantry system enables Bidfood to expand its charging capacity as the fleet grows. This infrastructure deployment aligns with UK government targets to phase out the sale of heavy goods vehicles powered by fossil fuels by 2035 and 2040.
Bidfood operates a fleet of more than 1,200 trucks across the UK. According to Erinion, the Slough project serves as a model for logistics operators looking to integrate electric vehicle charging into existing depots without sacrificing valuable yard space.
