The British government is pumping £20 million into a variety of projects to help road haulage go green.
Following successful alternative fuel pilot schemes from Scotland to Scunthorpe, the new money is expected to help design and develop new refuelling infrastructure for HGVs.
“From Doncaster to Scotland, by working in partnership with industry, this funding will allow us to better understand the role of zero-emission HGVs while levelling up the industry and boosting regional economies,” says Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Successful trial projects include an “Electric Road System” feasibility study. Using a 20 kilometre stretch of road near Scunthorpe, Costain Ltd. will be exploring whether it is possible to supply battery-electric trucks with electricity from overhead catenaries via a pantograph – meaning that trucks could charge as they drive.
Meanwhile, a hydrogen fuel cell feasibility study, led by Arcola Energy Ltd, will design a possible future trial of hydrogen fuel cell trucks and new refuelling infrastructure in Scotland.
These projects, along with 4 other successful feasibility studies, aim to prepare for a potential demonstration of zero-emission freight technologies on UK roads.
Leyland Trucks will also be offering 20 DAF battery-electric trucks for use by the public sector to support the uptake of zero-emission commercial vehicles and to gather information on the challenges these vehicles face at present.
“We’re delighted to have been selected to play such a key role in the initiative and we’re proud to be leading the drive towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for the road transport industry,” says Rob Lawton, Project Manager at Leyland Trucks.
“We believe our LF Electric and CF Electric vehicles offer the best solution for zero-emissions operation and we’re confident that the results from our NHS and local authority partners will support our own extensive and long-term testing programmes.”
The news, of course, follows the government’s new transport decarbonisation plan which aims to have no new diesel lorries on the road by 2040.
Keyword: UK Government Pumps £20m into Battery Electric HGV Pilot Schemes