It will be the equivalent of taking 760 diesel lorries off the roads each year, the firm says

Construction has started in Sheffield on the UK’s first clean refuelling site for lorries set to create 250 jobs.

The Aegis Energy hub at Smithywood Business Park near junction 35 of the M1 will have EV charging bays and bio-fuel and hydrogen fuelling with capacity for more than 100 vehicles a day.

Aegis Energy’s site on Cowley Way, Ecclesfield, will have be a 'clean energy' charging and fuelling hub for HGVs and commercial vehicles. | Aegis

placeholder image — Aegis Energy’s site on Cowley Way, Ecclesfield, will have be a 'clean energy' charging and fuelling hub for HGVs and commercial vehicles. | Aegis

In pollution terms, it will be the equivalent of taking 760 diesel lorries off the roads each year, the firm says.

Set to open next year, it is set to be the first of a network of clean charging hubs across the UK.

Aegis Energy bosses start building a clean energy fuelling hub in Ecclesfield, Sheffield. | Aegis

Aegis Energy won permission to build the hub in April despite concerns over ancient woodland and endangered birds.

The plans were opposed by a petition with 273 signatures, 20 individual objectors, East Ecclesfield councillor Rob Reiss, Ecclesfield Parish Council and Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust.