In a move set to reshape the landscape of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the United Kingdom, Hubber—a start-up founded by three former Tesla executives—has secured £60 million in committed equity to address what many see as one of the country’s most pressing urban infrastructure challenges: the shortage of high-powered charging hubs in cities. The company, established in 2024 by Harry Fox, Connor Selwood, and Hugh Leckie, is poised to roll out an ambitious plan to deliver next-generation charging solutions for commercial fleets and urban drivers alike.
Hubber’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for the UK’s transition to electric mobility. As reported by Fleet World and electrive.com, the trio behind Hubber previously oversaw the delivery of over 100 Tesla Supercharger sites and more than 1,200 ultra-rapid chargers nationwide during their tenure with Tesla’s Supercharger team. However, the closure of Tesla’s UK Supercharger division in April 2024 left a significant gap in the market—one that Fox, Selwood, and Leckie were determined to fill.
“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,” said Harry Fox, CEO of Hubber, in a statement to Fleet World. “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.”
With the newly secured funding—led by James Bayliss, former head trader at Elliott Advisors (UK), and Christopher Fox, former CFO of the British Business Bank—Hubber plans to acquire and develop an initial 30 high-powered urban charging hubs across major UK cities. The investment will fund the acquisition and development of sites underpinned by megawatt-scale grid connections, with a combined 100 megawatts of grid capacity, according to electrive.com.
The company’s first site is set to open on August 20, 2025, in Forest Hill, south-east London, in partnership with Antin-owned RAW Charging. This flagship hub will serve as a proof of concept for Hubber’s approach, which centers around modular, planning-approved, and ready-to-operate sites designed for both charge point operators and commercial fleet partners. The company’s proprietary site-selection model, turnkey design and delivery, and trusted supply chain are all intended to ensure that sites are delivered faster and more reliably than those of competitors.
The urgency of Hubber’s mission is underscored by the rapid electrification of commercial fleets across the UK. Taxis, ride-hailing services, last-mile delivery vans, and buses are all transitioning to electric power at a remarkable pace. However, as Fleet World notes, these operators are running into a significant problem: city infrastructure simply isn’t keeping up. The lack of fast, affordable charging options in urban areas threatens to slow the adoption of electric vehicles precisely where they are needed most.
The problem is compounded by the fact that approximately 40% of UK households lack access to a driveway, making home charging impractical for millions of drivers. This reality places even greater pressure on public charging infrastructure, especially in densely populated urban centers. As a result, commercial operators—who rely on continuous and efficient vehicle operations—are left searching for reliable solutions.
Hubber’s business model is designed to tackle these challenges head-on. The company identifies several persistent obstacles to urban charging deployment, including limited and costly land, grid constraints, and complex planning and consenting processes. Even established charge point operators have struggled to secure suitable locations for new hubs. By combining the acquisition of urban land with pre-secured megawatt-scale grid connections, Hubber aims to streamline the process and deliver sites that are truly ready for operation.
“Urban EV charging remains one of the UK’s biggest infrastructure challenges. This uniquely skilled team now has the capital to address it, and we expect their work to make a significant and lasting impact on the country’s electrification,” commented lead investor James Bayliss, as reported by both Fleet World and electrive.com. His optimism is echoed by other stakeholders in the electrification space, who see Hubber’s approach as a potential game-changer for the industry.
Hubber’s modular sites are not only designed to be flexible and scalable but also come with planning consent in place, allowing for rapid deployment. This approach is expected to appeal to charge point operators and fleet partners who need to expand their charging networks quickly to meet rising demand. With a trusted supply chain and a focus on delivering higher-quality sites, Hubber is positioning itself as a reliable partner in the race to electrify Britain’s urban centers.
Of course, the broader context for Hubber’s emergence is the UK’s ongoing push toward net-zero emissions and the government’s ambitious targets for EV adoption. As more commercial fleets go electric, the need for robust urban charging infrastructure will only grow. The success of companies like Hubber could play a decisive role in determining whether the UK can meet its climate goals and maintain its leadership in the EV transition.
Yet, the road ahead is not without its hurdles. Urban land remains scarce and expensive, grid upgrades can be time-consuming and costly, and navigating the planning process is often fraught with delays. Hubber’s founders believe their experience—gained from rolling out Tesla’s Supercharger network—gives them a unique edge in overcoming these obstacles. Their proprietary site-selection model is aimed at identifying the most promising locations, while their turnkey delivery approach is intended to minimize delays and ensure that sites are operational as quickly as possible.
For commercial fleet operators, the arrival of high-powered urban charging hubs could be transformative. The ability to recharge vehicles quickly and reliably in city centers will enable more efficient operations, reduce downtime, and lower operating costs. As Fox points out, “The real pressure is in cities,” and meeting that demand is essential for the continued growth of electric mobility.
As the countdown begins to the opening of Hubber’s first hub in Forest Hill, all eyes will be on the company to see whether its ambitious plans can deliver real results. The stakes are high—not just for Hubber, but for the future of urban transportation in the UK. If successful, the company’s model could serve as a blueprint for other markets grappling with similar challenges.
The EV revolution is gathering pace, and with companies like Hubber leading the charge, the prospect of widespread, reliable urban charging infrastructure is moving closer to reality. The coming months will reveal just how quickly—and effectively—these promises can be fulfilled.
