Britain’s charging infrastructure is the most significant challenge with electric HGV deployment, industry bosses have said.
Jan Kohlmeier, managing director of MAN Truck and Bus UK, was among those to discuss the issue at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Electrified summit.
Kohlmeier said MAN’s electric HGVs had seen some successful deployment with UK fleets and been received favourably among drivers.
However, he said: “Charging and energy is the critical bottleneck. We urgently need a national strategy for heavy duty charging corridors.
“We need much faster grid connection for depots. We need access for transport operators to appropriate, energy intensive tariffs and clear frameworks on infrastructure funding responsibility. Without progress, HGV electrification risks stalling before it scales.”
Amy Stokes, decarbonisation director at Volvo Trucks UK and Ireland, agreed that charging was a particular challenge for HGV fleets looking to scale up electrification.
She said: “If you’re talking about one truck and you’re charging it at the depot overnight, that might not be prohibitive. But when you start to think about the costs of power for a significant proportion of a fleet, that’s when it really starts to have an impact on the total cost of ownership.
“That’s the cost for developing the infrastructure, but the bigger challenge – and this is the one that we see is perhaps more unforeseen until you get there – is the cost of securing power for the future, so you can then build your strategic plan to transition your fleet.”
