Bringing together leading logistics providers, high street names and leading hauliers, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium was selected to join
Led by Voltempo, developers of the British designed and manufactured electric HGV megawatt charging system, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium is trialling the deployment of long haul zero emission HGVs and chargers.
Energy Systems Catapult has led on future scenario modelling and analysis, whole systems stakeholder engagement and research, and innovative business model development and testing for the project. The Catapult aimed to ensure stakeholders across the transport and energy sectors can capitalise on what’s been learned to date and prepare for the decarbonisation of the UK’s HGVs. A suite of resources developed by the Catapult in collaboration with the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium are published below.
They include reports, an interactive dashboard and financial planning tools to help the UK’s fleet operators, energy network system planners, infrastructure providers, innovators and policymakers grasp the challenges and opportunities of transitioning HGVs to zero emissions.
Around 80% of the UK’s freight is moved around the UK on our roads. Currently the vast majority of this is carried on fossil-fuelled trucks and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). This produced 16% of all the UK’s domestic transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2023.
Under government targets, all new HGVs under 26 tonnes must be zero emission by 2035 and all new HGVs of any size must be zero emission by 2040. In its Future of Freight plan the government committed to developing a zero emission HGV infrastructure rollout.
As part of ZEHID, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium brought together market leaders from the transportation and low carbon energy industries including Voltempo, Kuehne+Nagel (UK) Limited, Wincanton Group Limited, and Maritime Transport Limited.
The project is expected to create up to 200 new jobs by 2030 and provide Birmingham with one of the UK’s first electric vehicle charging hubs dedicated to HGVs.
As a consortium partner, the Catapult has ensured that the eFREIGHT 2030 trials can gather the evidence required to understand the challenges and opportunities, across stakeholders, and operations of eHGVs in the real world. The Catapult has provided detailed analysis and insight to support a commercially successful and rapid decarbonisation of the freight sector. The resulting reports, guides and tools are available to download, below.
Chris Welch, Managing Director of Welch Group, said: “As one of the only SME operators in the ZEHID consortiums, we’ve spent over three years learning what it actually takes to run electric HGVs in general haulage and pallet network operations. The tools and insights the Catapult are releasing today translate that hard-won operational experience into something every fleet operator can act on, regardless of their size or resources. The transition to zero-emission freight can’t depend on every operator figuring it out alone and now, thanks to this work, they don’t have to.”
The eHGV dilemma: Should fleet operators invest in the depot or rely on public charging? – Matthew Toomy-Conlan, Business Model Consultant
The government is consulting on phasing out the sale of HGVs with internal combustion engines by 2040. As we speed along the on-ramp to this electrified future, fleet operators need to ask themselves which business model they’ll adopt for charging their electric HGVs (eHGVs).
Charging ahead for eHGVs: How to better meet the energy needs of greener trucking – Will Bonnell and Tobiloba Oyeleke
When electric HGVs hit the grid en masse to recharge, the UK could need the equivalent of three Hinkley Point C nuclear plants running at full capacity to meet demand. Our future modelling shows how we can engineer the system and effectively plan our use and charging patterns to flatten those peaks.
Seeing the eHGV transition through each other’s eyes – Polly Osborne
The transition to electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) will only succeed if we work together. There’s the electric truck manufacturers. The fleet operators. And the companies building the charging infrastructure and the connections to the networks. We got everyone in a room together for a day of workshopping to explore how we can collectively smooth the transition.
Follow along as we accelerate zero-emission road freight – Lowri Williams
We’re publishing four new reports and launching two open-access interactive resources that will unlock the underlying business models needed to bring electric HGVs (eHGVs) and charging infrastructure to real fleets, and sharing the insights needed to electrify the nation’s road freight.
A national plan for eHGV charging – Beth Warnock
Charging facilities for eHGVs will need to be deployed across the whole country to enable charging in depots and on the road. If charging facilities are being delayed in some areas this could have a knock-on effect on the national network, and ultimately the viability of electrification as a transition option for the sector.
All reports and publications from the eFREIGHT 2030 project are available to download here. These reports and open access tools will help fleet operators, energy network system planners, infrastructure providers, innovators and policymakers grasp the challenges and opportunities of transitioning HGVs to zero emissions.
This report answers how the UK’s HGV fleet will evolve. It lifts the lid on the potential infrastructure and energy demands that could lie ahead. It explores the results of our national HGV scenario modelling, highlighting the scale of change required, the key transition points, and offers tailored recommendations for fleet operators, chargepoint providers, energy networks and government. We’ve also published an interactive dashboard so you can explore scenarios and insights for yourself. Access it here.
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Based on direct feedback from fleet operators, this report dives into the business model features that matter most for those buying eHGVs and investing in depot-based and public charging. It provides a strategic call to action for industry and policymakers alike.
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Electrifying HGVs isn’t just about vehicles. It’s about connecting depots and charging hubs to the electricity network. And this needs to be done efficiently and affordably if we’re to reach our desired destination. This report unpacks system-level challenges, offers case studies from real sites within the trial, and offers clear, actionable recommendations for those in the transport and energy sector.
To download this file, we would be grateful if you could tell us a little about yourself.
We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
This report captures the views, uncertainties and recommendations from across the sector. It explores where live trials are answering key research questions and where gaps remain for future work.
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
This report evaluates a range of public charging business models that could overcome challenges related to operational downtime, financial constraints and route planning limitations. The findings aim to help fleet operators identify public charging solutions best aligned with their operational needs.
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
This report summarises the findings of qualitative research carried out by the Catapult, commissioned by Voltempo, to explore the potential for the U.K. road freight sector to transition to net zero carbon dioxide emissions in its Heavy Goods Vehicle operations.
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This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the complexities surrounding the connection of electric HGV (eHGV) chargers to the UK’s electricity network, offering vital insights into the necessary steps, costs, and challenges involved.
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
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This report is aimed at fleet operators looking to navigate the transition with greater confidence, the report offers an in-depth analysis of the financial hurdles and practical solutions that can help guide informed procurement decisions.
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To prepare for trials of electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (eHGVs), the eFREIGHT 2030 project lead, Voltempo, has been applying for connections to the electricity networks for high-capacity chargers throughout the country.
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, which is steering the UK’s shift to electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs), has released a detailed report on business model options to facilitate the rollout and adoption of eHGVs. Aimed at fleet operators looking to identify charging solutions that best align with their operational needs, report evaluates a range of business models that can help address some of the identified barriers.
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
This report covers what it takes to deliver safe, scalable electrified transport across three key electrification roles.
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This report provides an overview of carbon accounting and carbon credits in the freight sector.
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The eFREIGHT 2030 National Impacts of HGV Decarbonisation Dashboard provides an interactive view of the modelling and insights developed by the Catapult through its role as a partner in the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium. Drawing on whole systems analysis of the UK’s future HGV fleet pathways, charging infrastructure needs, energy demand and potential emissions reductions, the dashboard allows users to explore a range of scenarios that were shaped through industry workshops and aligned with current market conditions and future trends. Access the dashboard here.
Designed for fleet operators at the start of their decarbonisation journey, we have created a financial assessment tool that helps you estimate the total cost of transitioning to eHGVs. Start by watching this how-to video, then download the case study and Excel-based tool using the links below.
To demonstrate the application of the financial assessment tool, this case study explores the three key decision points a fleet operator would face when beginning to decarbonise their fleet.
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The tool provides a structured framework for operators to assess the costs, revenues, cash flow and carbon savings associated with fleet electrification under a range of operational, infrastructure and vehicle purchasing scenarios.
To download this file, we would be grateful if you could tell us a little about yourself.
We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
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Find out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams