Electric HGVs put to the test in eFREIGHT trial

Dynamon described the eFREIGHT 2030 project as the most comprehensive trial of its kind to date. It aims to showcase the capabilities of electric HGVs under actual operational conditions, taking on tasks traditionally handled by diesel trucks, and building a commercial rationale for their integration. The project also features the development of a nationwide network of 1MW eHGV charging hubs that will be accessible to the public.

Supported by a £63 million grant from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK, the trial brings together a consortium that includes fleet operators such as Expect Distribution, Kuehne+Nagel, Maritime Transport, Menzies Distribution, Welch’s Transport, and Wincanton Group; retailer Marks & Spencer; vehicle manufacturers DAF Trucks, Renault Trucks, and Scania Trucks; and charging infrastructure providers Voltempo Group and Fleete Group.

Dynamon is tasked with supplying the software that will enable partners to efficiently coordinate essential components over the next 18 months in preparation for the on-road trials. This includes the strategic placement of charge points, selection of appropriate tractors and trailers, route planning, and the scheduling of work.

The initiative will put zero-emission trucks into frontline service, with Dynamon’s CEO Angus Webb asserting that their ZERO software will allow operators to deploy e-HGVs confidently, achieving diesel replacement within feasible operational, cost, and scheduling frameworks.

“This isn’t about giving electric HGVs easy routes and light schedules for demonstration purposes,” said Webb. “It is about stress testing them in hard working environments in which they will have to deliver results. The trial will prove what happens when you max out e-HGVs on a daily basis. 

“Because of that, a huge amount of planning needs to go into this project so that when they hit the road, they are maximised in terms of their performance, that the operators have the right HGV configuration for the role, and the infrastructure is in place to support them and get the job done. 

“That’s where Dynamon comes in: our software can help our partners to plan exactly every element so they can push these trucks as hard as possible, and prove that when the correct strategy and support is in place, electric can work cost-effectively.” 

Although the full roll out of e-HGVs in the trial happens in 2026, the next 18 months will see Dynamon working with partners to model scenarios and infrastructure needs, while some of the electric trucks are put on the road in a soft launch to provide data and insight. 

“When you consider the challenges around infrastructure, there is not long before this trial is fully up and running. We need to ensure in the planning and ramp up stage that no effort is wasted. For example, there will be depots which are just not feasible to be electrified to the level required in the time and so we must identify sites which are suitable.

“ZERO software can do this, and we are very confident that by 2026 we will be seeing significant numbers of zero emission trucks working hard on UK roads, proving that decarbonisation and electrification can work for the HGV freight sector," concluded Webb.