
As part of the zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme, eFREIGHT 2030 has announced the 13 founding members of the consortium. These include fleet operators Expect Distribution, Kuehne+Nagel, Maritime Transport, Menzies Distribution, Welch’s Transport, and Wincanton; retailer Marks & Spencer; vehicle manufacturers DAF Trucks, Renault Trucks, and Scania; software provider Dynamon; charge point manufacturer and eFREIGHT 2030 project lead, Voltempo Group; and charging hub owner and operator, Fleete Group.
Chairman of the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium and former secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, Sir Vince Cable, said: “We are delighted to announce the line-up of the eFREIGHT 2030 founding members. Each member has a longstanding history and experience in transport and logistics and is contributing significantly to the consortium’s shared vision to demonstrate how eHGVs can replace conventional HGVs at scale using British technology.
“The bringing together of so much operational and technical experience within the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium offers a unique opportunity to decarbonise the road freight transport sector in the coming months and years. We look forward to sharing many specific examples as the programme advances.”
The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium will see 100 new electric HGV tractor units introduced as well as 32 new charging sites. Supplier Berkeley Coachworks will also provide a trailer-located energy source, using its Bulldog range extender e-trailer technology.
Michael Boxwell (pictured), group CEO of Voltempo, which heads up the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, said: “I am delighted to report that we are on target for our very ambitious decarbonisation targets – we have placed the first vehicle orders for consortium members across the three vehicle manufacturers, the development of the Voltempo Hypercharger Pod continues at pace, and we have undertaken energy assessments for multiple sites to build a roadmap for the roll-out of the eFREIGHT 2030 charging locations. As an industry, the progress we are making is remarkable, and it is clear that working collaboratively will be key to accelerate our journey to zero emission HGVs.”
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