The government’s net zero target is creeping up on us as the UK has 25 years to reach its goal. There are many milestones that need to be hit along the way, and this includes the ban on the sale of diesel HGVs by 2040. And, while that means the industry has 15 years to decarbonise, there is a misconception that a solution is not needed today. The reality is that with the typical renewal cycle – this is not much time at all, so fleet managers need to start thinking now about how to move forward with electrification.
The decision to electrify is often accompanied by confusion into which should take priority; electrify the fleets or focus on building the right charging infrastructure. To ensure a smooth transition for fleets, businesses must consider both the infrastructure and electricity supply chain to ensure successful electrification.
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The importance of electrification and the role of data
Make no mistake, businesses must start to decarbonise now if they wish to be ready for the ban on HGV sales by 2040. These vehicles produce 20% of the UK’s transport emissions and so are an obvious and important target to achieve net zero.
While businesses have the freedom to choose their path to electrification, there are best practice processes that must be incorporated, and this starts with data insights. Many fleet managers seek the benefits of clear and real-time operational data to guide implementation and understand how the introduction of EVs will transform their fleets. Having complete visibility into battery capacity, duty cycles and charging infrastructure can improve fleet performance, support electrification at scale, while minimising costs and reducing carbon emissions.
It’s in this respect that initiatives like the Electric Freightway Project are so important in providing a blueprint for others to follow and learn from. This project aims to kickstart the decarbonisation of HGVs and will fund around 120 electric HGVs and a similar number of chargers. It shows the viability of electrified commercial fleets and is already influencing decision makers – the last project update shows that sales of eHGVs increased 30% in Q2 2024.
How the UK is leading the way for electrification
The UK government is one of the first major economies to set a legally binding net zero target and it’s initiatives like the Electric Freightway Project which is helping the HGV eco-system, from manufacturers through to fleet operators, drivers and infrastructure providers, prepare to decarbonise. The project has been underway for the last 12 months, and it has shown that the UK is an ideal testing bed for electrified transport. The difficult, and different, terrain and the country’s borders provide a finite but rugged space to show how vehicles perform along different routes.
Colm Gallagher, Chief Data Scientist, Hitachi ZeroCarbon
Our role in the project, as a principle partner focused on data collection and analysis, has led us to identify the hotspots where drivers of diesel HGVs stop today for breaks. Understanding where drivers stop along different routes, like at different service stations or truck points, allows us to pinpoint opportunities for charging infrastructure in the future. It gives us a means to start building EV charging stations and implementing the right infrastructure and support.
The UK also benefits from being a blank canvas for electrification. This means that companies can take ownership, and responsibility, for their own decarbonisation timelines and work to electrify their fleets in a way that suits their organisation, fleet size and employees. The HGV industry can look to similar forms of transport for inspiration too, like city buses. While not exactly the same, they do have similar demands on charging and so can be used as a good point of reference.
Take First Bus, for instance, it has transitioned to electrified transport with us and implemented charging infrastructure at seven depots, impacting over 400 buses across the network. Its buses have timetables in place, so we know what time they need to leave the depot and, ultimately, when is the best time to charge them. The speed in which this was rolled out, and its impact on public transport services, shows why the UK can be a global leader for fleet electrification.
Bringing everyone on the journey of net zero
As we increasingly approach the UK’s net zero targets, it’s so important that everyone in the ecosystem moves as one towards the goal. This requires thinking about electrification as not a revolution, but an evolution. Should key industry stakeholders, like drivers, believe that this is a complete overhaul, then it can be all too easy for the burden of change to delay progress.
Instead, it’s about small steps adding up to real transformation; drivers must get used to plugging in vehicles for charging rather than filling them up at the pump with diesel, while fleet operators must become accustomed to route planning based on the battery size and charging capabilities. Businesses must identify and decide the best way to decarbonise their fleets without impacting their bottom line. But, at the same time, they must ensure employees are on-board and know how they can move forward in their role with these fleets in place.
The Electric Freightway project is helping to deliver a smooth transition, engaging each stakeholder carefully to take them on the journey. The project is proving the viability of an eHGV network and implementing critical infrastructure while putting electrified trucks on the road. But it’s also collecting detailed feedback, listening to industry voices, and using data to ensure fleet electrification can be as seamless as possible. The UK’s net zero targets are right around the corner, and we’ll only reach them if we’re all working in unison.
Author: Colm Gallagher, Chief Data Scientist, Hitachi ZeroCarbon
