Electric HGV network stress-tested in September rally

Gridserve will put its Electric Freightway charging network through a five-day stress test at the 2026 Greenfleet Mythbusters EV Rally, running 7-11 September. For fleets still asking whether electric HGVs can actually do a working week's driving, this is the kind of real-mileage evidence that spec sheets can't provide. (Gridserve)

The line-up is properly commercial rather than a demo fleet: Sam Clarke and co-driver Jordan Conway take a DAF XD Electric rigid supplied by Ford & Slater, while Motus Commercials' John Jesson drives a DAF XF Electric, with the Dawson Group providing trailer support. The Department for Transport is also on the team sheet. Electric Freightway itself grew out of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, DfT-funded and delivered with Innovate UK - so this Gridserve-sponsored showcase is also a visible test of whether that public money is buying usable charging infrastructure, not just headline announcements. (Gridserve)

Why this matters: HGV electrification has lagged the van and car segments largely on charging confidence, not truck capability. A multi-day rally with working eHGVs and real trailers will surface the awkward details - dwell times, route planning, depot-to-depot range - that determine whether electric rigids belong in a 2027 replacement cycle. Watch for the results.