A new report published by Hitachi ZeroCarbon and GRIDSERVE aims to demonstrate progress made by the Electric Freightway project, with orders now beginning to surpass expectations and fleets themselves recording more than half a million zero-emission miles within the UK.
The report, which is the third related to the project, contains details on a number of milestones, including initial data-driven calculations showcasing the potential for lower total cost of ownership (TCO) related to eHGVs when compared to equivalent diesel trucks.
Led by GRIDSERVE, the Electric Freightway project forms part of the Department for Transport (DfT) and Innovate UK’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme and bring over 30 consortium partners together in order to inform the UK’s overall transition to zero tailpipe emissions freight operation.
Keir Mather MP, Minister for Aviation, Maritime, and Decarbonisation said:To create a cleaner planet and a stronger economy it’s essential the lorries and vans’ delivering goods across our country are supported to make the move to zero emissions. That’s why we’ve invested £200m to put more zero emission lorries onto our roads and build the charging network that keeps them moving. As this report shows the rollout is well underway and the future of freight is green.
The previous two reports focused on the project’s objectives and associated planning stages, whilst report 3 supplies and update on the roll out of eHGVs and charging infrastructure.
Key developments highlighted in the new report include an unprecedented demand for eHGVs from consortium partners, heightened industry interest and engagement, progress in EV infrastructure deployment and advanced work on eHGV charging sites.
Analysis from the report claims that under certain operational conditions, managers are able to reach cost parity with diesel vehicles after roughly five years – with higher mileage operations standing to benefit the most, lowering TCO.
It also claims that lifetime emissions of diesel trucks can be three times higher than that of eHGVs, with higher embedded emissions usually offset within the first 12 months.
Sam Clarke, Head of eHGV, GRIDSERVE, said:Delivering the 10-bay shared charging depot at Nissan’s Sunderland plant is just the beginning of what a nationwide eHGV charging network can look like. As the number of miles undertaken by electric fleets continues to grow, our priority is ensuring the infrastructure keeps pace, with the first public charging sites now under construction and many more to follow.
This report demonstrates how a national eHGV charging network is beginning to take shape, but it’s only made possible by the industry working through the challenges together, and always with the needs of fleet managers front of mind.
Hitachi ZeroCarbon has also revealed its new TCO calculator, which has been designed to aid fleet operators in the assessment of the financial and environmental case for eHGVs. It can be accessed here.
Leon Clarke, Head of Operations and Delivery at Hitachi ZeroCarbon, said:Crossing half a million electric miles is a clear signal that eHGVs are not just viable, but already delivering in the real world.
What really matters now is giving managers the tools and evidence they need to make the transition with confidence. That’s why we’ve launched our new total cost of ownership calculator, so fleets can build the business case for decarbonisation and bring their long-term operational goals closer into view. We’re helping the industry move the EV debate onwards from theory to reality, and in turn strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in developing the future of commercial transport.
The new report can be read here.
