Ex-Supercharger team launch Hubber urban rapid charge network

Three former Tesla Supercharger staff have launched a new charging operation called Hubber which aims to bring more rapid charging to UK cities.

The new operator is set to open its first site in Forest Hill, Lewisham on August 20 and has big plans for at least 30 hubs in key UK cities.

It has just secured £60 million in funding to help deliver its plan and accelerate the roll-out of ultra-rapid charging hubs in urban areas rather than traditional en-route locations such as motorway service stations.

The team behind Hubber – Harry Fox, Connor Selwood and Hugh Leckie – oversaw the delivery of more than 1,200 Tesla Superchargers at more than 100 locations before Elon Musk disbanded the entire Supercharger unit in 2024. They have now turned their attention to what they call the “urban charging problem” facing business and fleet operators in the UK’s largest cities.

The firm says that with an ever-growing number of commercial operators – from ride-hailing apps to delivery firms – using electric vehicles demand for fast accessible charging is outstripping supply. Its plan is to address this with ultra-rapid devices in central locations that allow quick top-ups for busy operators.

Harry Fox, CEO of Hubber, said: “Early ultra-fast charging focused on motorways and ‘range anxiety’, but today the real pressure is in cities. The fleets doing the most miles – taxis, ride-hail, delivery vans, buses – are electrifying fast, yet city infrastructure is lagging.

“Large, high-powered hubs are the key to enabling continuous, efficient and scalable operations, but persistent delays leave a critical shortfall just as demand is surging. That’s the gap Hubber will address.”

Research by Uber found in June that for the first time charging access, not vehicle cost, was drivers’ top concern. Only 27% of its UK drivers have access to home charging and many said they preferred to charge on-shift, when fast charging was vital.

Hubber’s bosses say the new £60m investment will help with the acquisition and development of city-centre hubs for public charging networks and commercial fleet partners.

Hubber is not the only operator turning its attention to the need for ultra-rapid charging in urban areas. Earlier this year Places for London chose Fastned to help deliver five ultra-rapid hubs and Fastned recently revealed plans for the UK’s first under-cover hub near Aberdeen city centre.