Government calls for evidence on supply of ZE HGVs and coaches + supporting infrastructure
Thu 19 October 2023
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The Government has announced a new call for evidence, seeking information about the current and future supply, uptake and use of zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and coaches across the UK, and their refuelling and recharging requirements. The responses will inform the development of an infrastructure strategy to support the sector.
The call for evidence comments that battery electric technology is moving on from cars and light vans to becoming the early dominant technology for lighter HGVs operating in the urban distribution market as well as for operations which have a duty cycle that brings them back to base every day.
Many manufacturers are also putting this technology to use in the largest trucks but, the evidence call says, batteries may not be the answer for all cases, especially in the larger weight classes where manufacturers are bringing hydrogen fuel cell HGVs to the market, which could offer a longer range capability.
The preferred technology for specific cases will vary according to factors such as vehicle operating weight, drive cycle diversity and maximum journey lengths. Although there is still some way to go before battery or hydrogen fuel cell HGVs can deliver the practicality of a diesel HGV in every case, the call says that the availability of zero exhaust emission HGVs is growing with a variety of vehicles up to 44 tonnes available today.
The Government says it is developing a zero emission HGV and coach infrastructure strategy for publication in 2024. The strategy will set the strategic direction and outline the respective roles and responsibilities of both government and industry to ensure the delivery of the refuelling and recharging infrastructure required to meet the end of sale dates for new non-zero emission HGVs.
This strategy will complement, and be supported by, the work of the Freight Energy Forum, where government and the freight and energy sectors will undertake work through to spring 2024 to better understand future energy demand across the wider freight sector and the barriers to investment in zero emission energy infrastructure.
For more information, see the associated links.
The call for evidence will close on December 14.
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