ZEHID programme's first annual report shows 240+ zero-emission HGVs now on UK roads
Innovate UK and evaluator WSP say the Department for Transport-funded trial has covered 2.2 million miles and 550,000 tonnes of freight, with fleets including Menzies Distribution Solutions and Maritime Transport already running battery-electric tractor units.
Innovate UK, working with independent technical evaluator WSP, has published the first annual report on the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, according to a summary published by SMMT. Funded by the Department for Transport and delivered through Innovate UK, ZEHID is described as Europe's largest coordinated demonstration of zero-emission HGVs of 40 tonnes or more, along with the infrastructure needed to support them.
According to the report, ZEHID's current projects – Electric Freightway, eFreight 2030 and ZenFreight – have put more than 240 zero-emission trucks into service and established more than 40 charging sites across the UK. Trial data gathered so far covers 2.2 million miles, 550,000 tonnes of freight and 85,000 trips. Innovate UK expects this to rise to about 300 electric HGVs and 70 infrastructure sites by the end of 2026.
The report also sets out claimed environmental benefits, including an approximate 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with equivalent diesel operations and cumulative CO2 savings of more than 4,000 tonnes to date. ZEHID has now begun a five-year phase of monitoring and evaluation running until 2031, intended to generate evidence on vehicle performance, infrastructure use, costs, emissions and operational impacts.
Claire Spooner, Director of the Innovation Service at Innovate UK, said zero-emission HGVs "are already demonstrating their potential in real-world freight operations across the UK," describing the report as marking "an important milestone" for the programme.
Fleets already deploying electric HGVs
Among the fleets involved, Menzies Distribution Solutions has put three new 42-tonne Scania electric tractor units into operation at its Wakefield distribution centre, the first of 10 electric HGVs it plans to deploy, also including DAF and Renault Trucks vehicles, supported by on-site charging infrastructure capable of delivering up to 1MW. Maritime Transport has put five Renault Trucks E-Tech T 4x2 tractor units into service through eFreight 2030, forming part of its 56-strong eHGV fleet, with initial deployments at Wakefield and Avonmouth.
Sources
SMMTHow THRIVE sources and checks its stories · Corrections, and how to report an error
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