Gridserve is leading 33 partners in a government-backed consortium to deliver an EV charging network for battery electric heavy goods vehicles.
In the past, decarbonisation of HGVs was expected to be based on hydrogen fuel to replace diesel. However the gradual extension of electric (ie battery) options to public service vehicles, delivery fleets and light goods vehicles have meant freight operators are increasingly interested in future battery options.
The Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Innovate UK, was dubbed Electric Freightway by Gridserve and the consortium, which will develop a network of EV charging infrastructure across motorway service areas, truck stops and commercial depots that will serve over 140 eHGVs. The £100 million project includes £62.7 million of UK government support and will run to 2030.
HGVs are lorries with a gross weight more than 3.5t. Loaded electric versions would require around 1kWh for every mile travelled and long periods of charging are impractical because freight operators rely on fast turnarounds to make sure their fleets are used to maximum efficiency.
In a summary on Gridserve’s website chief executive Toddington Harper said the assumption was that battery HGVs needed a 500 mile range and that would require huge batteries, reducing payload. But “that mindset changes if you’re able to charge that battery very quickly.” The project will also take advantage of HGV regulations, which mean HGV drivers cannot exceed 4.5 hours of driving without taking a 45-minute break. The project plan is to provide truck drivers with the most powerful EV chargers for their break periods so that they do not need to change their behaviours. The project will see Gridserve beging to step up its top rated chargers from 350kW to 1MW. While the charging is sped up, other parts of the project will optimise energy consumption, logistics efficiency etc.