Battery electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) could become a viable alternative for long-distance and heavy-duty applications by the mid-2030s, according to a new study.
The study, published by the Faraday Institution, provides an assessment of the UK’s current HGV market and its transition to zero-emission technologies.
The HGV sector is a significant part of the UK’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing substantially to the logistics industry. However, it is also a major source of emissions with 99% of the existing HGV fleet relying on diesel engines. With the average HGV travelling around 100,000 miles a year, the sector accounts for 16% of carbon emissions in the transport sector and 6% of the UK’s overall carbon emissions.
The HGV industry is transitioning towards using new fuels and technologies, with battery electric HGVs, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen-ICE (internal combustion engines) emerging as alternatives to traditional diesel engines.
The...