A year ago, Elon Musk made headlines by abruptly firing Tesla’s entire Supercharger team—a move that shocked the EV industry. While the decision slowed Tesla’s charging rollout, it also gave rise to new opportunities. Out of this shakeup, three former Tesla employees have founded Hubber, a new EV charging company aiming to solve one of the biggest challenges in electrification: the lack of fast, reliable urban charging.
From Tesla to Hubber: A Fresh Start
The founders—Harry Fox, Connor Selwood, and Hugh Leckie—previously oversaw more than 100 Supercharger locations with over 1,200 chargers across the UK and Ireland. Their deep experience in site development, infrastructure, and rapid rollout is now being redirected toward Hubber.
Their mission is clear: bridge the urban charging gap. Unlike suburban EV owners who can charge at home, many city residents—especially taxi drivers and last-mile delivery fleets—don’t have convenient charging options. These vehicles charge up to five times more often than private EVs, making access to high-speed charging hubs critical.
Hubber’s Approach
Hubber describes itself as “the UK’s leading specialist in high-powered urban charging.” The company focuses on:
- Transforming overlooked locations (like old warehouses and gas stations) into modern charging hubs.
- Building high-capacity infrastructure with strong grid connections.
- Providing commercial-friendly setups, prioritizing speed, affordability, and reliability over luxury.
While other networks design plazas for consumer convenience, Hubber focuses on efficiency—helping taxi and delivery drivers get back on the road quickly. Some hubs may still include essential amenities like restrooms and vending machines.
First Charging Hub Launch
Hubber’s debut site opens on August 20th, 2025, in Forest Hill, South London, near the train station. The facility will include 12 EV bays, equipped with both 150kW and 300kW dual-head chargers. The site will be operated by RAW Charging, offering free fast charging during the launch week.
With a recent £60 million (~$81 million) investment, Hubber is well-positioned to scale across the UK and beyond.
Looking Ahead: Future of Urban EV Charging
Hubber’s strategy is forward-thinking. The team is already considering how their hubs could serve autonomous fleets, like future ride-hailing services from Waymo. Until self-charging solutions mature, attendants may support autonomous vehicles at Hubber locations.
By targeting commercial fleets and high-usage drivers, Hubber aims to maximize charger utilization—a problem many networks face today. Instead of focusing on EV owners with home chargers, Hubber is tackling the underserved market of drivers who need fast, frequent charging in cities.
Why It Matters
Tesla’s loss has become the industry’s gain. The Supercharger team’s breakup redistributed top talent across the EV sector. For Hubber, this means a leadership team with unmatched expertise in rapid charger deployment—giving them a strong advantage as demand for urban EV charging grows.
