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eFREIGHT 2030

Project ongoing

Bringing together leading logistics providers, high street names and leading hauliers, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium was selected to join the UK government’s Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme. Led by Voltempo, developers of the British designed and manufactured electric HGV megawatt charging system, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium aims to stimulate the deployment of long haul zero emission HGVs.

The challenge

Most of the freight moved around the UK is carried on trucks and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) – around 80% of the 200 billion tonne kilometres in 2022. This produced 20% of all the UK’s domestic transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2021.

In November 2021, the UK government committed to ending the sale of new non-zero emission HGVs weighing under or equal to 26 tonnes by 2035, with all new HGVs sold to be fully zero emission at the exhaust by 2040. The Future of Freight: a long-term plan confirmed the government would develop a plan for zero emission HGV infrastructure rollout.

The innovation

In October 2023, the government invested £200 million across four innovative green projects to roll out up to 370 zero emission HGVs and help set road freight on the path towards Net Zero.

Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the £200 million government investment from the zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme will also deliver around 57 refuelling and electric charging sites, providing the crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise.

The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium brings 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 consortium will introduce 100 electric HGV 4×2 and 6×2 tractor units, and 32 new charging locations, all of which will have megawatt-charging capacity from day one.

The project is set 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, Energy Systems Catapult will ensure that the eFREIGHT 2030 trials can gather the evidence required to understand the challenges and opportunities, across stakeholders, and operations of electric HGVs in the real world. The Catapult will also provide detailed analysis and insight to support a commercially successful and rapid decarbonisation of the freight sector.

Findings from the project are already paying dividends. A report – Electric Heavy Goods Vehicles? Industry perspectives on the prospects for their adoption in the UK – commissioned by Voltempo and produced by Energy Systems Catapult explore the potential for the UK road freight sector to transition to Net Zero carbon dioxide emissions in its HGV operations.

The research consisted of semi-structured interviews with managers involved in sustainability strategy within organisations operating HGVs in the UK, and one interview with a manager from a major HGV manufacturer.

eFREIGHT insight

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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Download our eFREIGHT resources

Reports, guides and tools

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.

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The Road Ahead: National System Impacts of HGV Decarbonisation

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.

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Accelerating the Transition: A Business Modelling Perspective for eHGV Scale-up

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.

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Connecting HGVs and Electricity: Enabling Systems and Sites for eHGV Charger Integration

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.

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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.

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COMING SOON: Navigating Net Zero Road Freight: Stakeholder Insights for HGV Decarbonisation

This report will 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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eFREIGHT 2030: Business Model Options and Considerations for Public eHGV Charging

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.

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Electric Heavy Goods Vehicles? Industry Perspectives on the Prospects for their Adoption in the UK

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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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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eHGV Charger Connections Guide

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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eHGV Purchasing Options and Considerations

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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eFREIGHT 2030 eHGV Charger Connections Case Study

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.

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eFREIGHT 2030 Business Model Options and Considerations for Depot-Based Charging

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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Cyber Security

This report covers what it takes to deliver safe, scalable electrified transport across three key electrification roles.

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Carbon Accounting and Carbon Credits for Freight

This report provides an overview of carbon accounting and carbon credits in the freight sector.

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National Impacts Modelling Dashboard

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.

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Pre-feasibility eHGV Financial Assessment Tool: How-to Video

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.

 

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Pre-feasibility eHGV Financial Assessment Tool: A Case Study Analysis

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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Pre-feasibility eHGV Financial Assessment Tool: Excel-based Tool

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.

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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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