eHGV: why the future looks electric for Britain’s logistics sector
Ben Brickwood, EV Project Development Manager at SSE Energy Solutions, explains how it is developing a new eHGV charging network
The government’s impending deadline to ban traditional fuel HGVs by 2040 still stands. But with just 0.3% of current heavy goods vehicles being electric, this is an area where we urgently need to accelerate solutions.
By collaborating with key stakeholders, a sustainable charging strategy to bolster existing EV infrastructure for charging commercial fleets and HGVs becomes ever more likely.
According to recent data, HGVs in the UK emitted more than 21.4 million metric tons of carbon pollution in 2021 – an increase of 9.2% from the previous year. This, combined with a post pandemic surge in online purchase behaviour means an increase in the number of HGVs on the road, and therefore the need for greener solutions.
Charging for electric HGVs in Britain is at an embryonic stage and, according to reports, there are no publicly accessible chargers for these types of vehicles on the UK’s road network. As such, the recent government announcement to ban the sale of new fuel-based HGVs by 2040 is a crucial step in showing support for the decarbonisation of the freight and logistics sector.
Its £200m ZEHID (Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstration) investment highlights a focus on various technologies that can help to support the adoption of Net Zero technologies. The data that will be collated from these programmes can only benefit businesses in making informed decisions as they determine their Net Zero strategies.
First public charging hub
The more trials, investment, and funding that is made available, the earlier the transition to Net Zero can be realised for HGVs – be that through electrification, hydrogen, or alternative technologies.
The ZEHID programme, accompanied by the additionally announced ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) government mandate, will have a knock-on effect of accelerating charging technology for other sectors such as eHGVs, and encourage the vehicle manufacturing supply chain to advance its offerings, making adoption to Net Zero solutions more viable.
As a tangible initial move, SSE’s first publicly accessible charging hub for electric commercial vehicles and HGVs has been confirmed for development at Tyseley Energy Park in Birmingham. The hub will be able to accommodate up to four electric HGVs at a time, with the site also hosting a range of alternative sustainable fuels that aim to reduce carbon emissions.
With UK traffic increasing close to 9% between 2021 and 2022, our infrastructure is heavily constrained in prime locations. To effectively limit Electric logistics this ongoing road and air pollution, we need to transition to zero emission vehicles as soon as possible, but before we can, we need the correct infrastructure in place to support it.
Based on industry wide conversations, we’re positive about the uptake of more sustainable HGVs and the intent of many logistics businesses to increase their adoption rates of eHGVs. A larger adoption of electric HGV fleets will ultimately lower prices for businesses and consumers alike, making these better alternatives and more cost comparable to diesel vehicles in the long run. This uptake will only be amplified by further government and manufacturer incentives.
Faster solutions are needed
For a successful charging network, appropriate sites need to be secured with proximity to enough grid capacity, good access to the UK’s arterial road network, enclosed and secure, and with competitive energy pricing models. This can be secured by employing better planning, effective design and construction that will need to be bolstered with the right materials and supply chain.
Predictably, larger batteries with improved range are required for HGVs, meaning that faster charging solutions are needed, and therefore more powerful chargers. We also need to take into account that lorry drivers around the UK have a mandatory 45-minute break after four and a half hours of driving, so top-up charging should ideally fit within this time frame.
For businesses, the economic viability of running a fleet will of course come into play. Companies cannot afford to have to wait for chargers to become available to ensure their HGVs are running at optimal levels. Therefore, it’s crucial that any solution offers the right integration to maximise the operational levels of vehicles and chargers.
The end game is simply that we need innovative solutions to transition the number of HGV fleets to their more sustainable electric counterparts. This will ultimately lead to a cleaner and greener UK and save businesses money in transport costs. As a collective, we have the skills, technology, and resources in the country to get us closer to a Net Zero transport sector, and by working with key global logistics businesses it is a crucial first step in this transformation.
