DP World, Howard Tenens and Port Express are acquiring new electric trucks following their participation in project JOLT.
Project JOLT is a joint venture between academia and industry. Its aim is to investigate the economic viability of electric heavy goods vehicles. 6% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions are from HGVs which has prompted the Government to commit to a policy of phasing out the sale of diesel HGVs by 2040. This is a bold policy designed to enable its 2050 net zero strategy. Part of the outcomes of Project JOLT will be to identify the evidence backed options for the Government to achieve this.
Project JOLT comprises 2 universities, 15 fleet operators, 5 truck manufacturers and 3 “enablers” who are responsible for project management and software support.
Professor David Cebon is leading the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight’s (SRF) research team. SRF is a collaborative venture between academia and industry, researching a range of engineering and organisational solutions to make road freight more sustainable.
From the data, the team is producing evidence of many factors relating to the concerns of fleet operators including what affects battery performance and therefore the range of an electric truck.
Having tested the ranges and payloads, hauliers are moving to the next stage of their electric journey - securing eHGVs through contract hire. The largest of this new wave of orders is the logistics division of DP World which has bought two now and ordered a further eight MAN eTGX tractor units. These will be added to the three existing electric trucks.
Dave Munday, Operations Manager, is spearheading this move. Working out of DP World’s new depot at Bicester, he put a compelling business case forward to his client, BMW, and to his board. The outcome is that 13 of his 37 fleet will be electric, making it one of the largest electric fleets in the country operating from a single site. He has 11 destinations of which 7 will be within range of the MAN electric trucks.
He said, “I am pleased that I can align our environmental objectives, our customer’s aspirations and the commercials into a meaningful package.” Dave does not hold back on his passion for electric solutions.
He has struck up a good relationship with MAN who has a local dealer, Cordwallis Group. Cordwallis is only two miles away in Bicester thus providing all servicing and maintenance needs on the doorstep.
DP World have also taken advantage of government grants. Under the Zero Emission Truck Grant, companies can get up to £81,000 of savings.
Howard Tenens, on the other hand, are looking to establish a competitive edge by maximising their own supply of renewable energy. Using cheaper energy, they will look to increase the differential between diesel and electric. They too have chosen a MAN eTGX tractor unit and also a MAN eTGS rigid truck.
James Watts runs Port Express, a SME haulier out of Felixstowe. He was introduced to electric trucks through Project JOLT and DP World’s Low Carbon Truck Programme. He has a retailer client who is keen to reduce its Scope 3 emissions. Consequently, he has struck a 2 year deal to lease a Volvo FH tractor unit for one of its regular shuttle runs to Milton Keynes.
The decision to choose Volvo was an easy one. His diesel fleet comprises mainly Volvos and there is a familiarity for management with the commercial arrangements and for the drivers with the layout of the cab.
James said “Thanks to Project JOLT, we dispelled any misconceptions about electric trucks. It was then a matter of matching a vehicle to our regular routes.”
