GRIDSERVE’S Electric Freightway programme has published its first report by principal partner Hitachi ZeroCarbon.
The scheme is part of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, which is led by GRIDSERVE, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. It aims to lay the foundations for the biggest and most advanced electric Heavy Goods Vehicle (eHGV) charging network in the world.
The first report is a more detailed refinement of the objectives announced in October 2023, which aims to support and monitor a fleet of up to 140 eHGVs as well as install up to 200 eHGV chargers across motorway service areas, truck stops and commercial depots.
The programme currently comprises 33 consortium partner and member companies and works closely with all stakeholders along the value chain to support and promote the decarbonisation of HGVs.
This first report provides an updated development roadmap and details how Electric Freightway will keep the haulage industry informed of any key insights.
This month (March 2024), some of the consortium members will be receiving their first eHGV orders to put straight into service, while GRIDSERVE is expecting sign-off from a combination of landowners, adjacent business owners, local government and Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to begin the installation of its first eHGV charging depot.
Additionally, Hitachi ZeroCarbon will begin conducting a survey of drivers and fleet managers to compare their perceptions of eHGVs over time, while gathering useful data from their initial operational experience.
James Comer, Programme Director, Hitachi ZeroCarbon, said: “This project is the pioneer demonstration for the decarbonisation of the UK’s logistics industry and will tangibly test what a zero carbon future could look like.”
Sam Clarke, Chief Vehicle Officer, GRIDSERVE added: “In Electric Freightway, we’ll push electric HGVs to their limits to establish just what is possible, while highlighting where there is the need for process, technological or policy innovation to enable the transition to electric. This first report enables us to set out all our ambitions, achievements and challenges to date and set the standard for all to follow.”
The second report will be published by Hitachi ZeroCarbon and provide insight into the driving cycle efficiency of some of the programme’s eHGVs, as well as share lessons learnt from the first eHGV infrastructure installation.
Image from GRIDSERVE
