‘Zero emission switch? ... there is no big plan’

By Tim Wallace

Roads minister Richard Holden

MP has rejected claims that urgent government action is needed to help hauliers transition to zeroemission HGV fleets and insisted the commercial sector will partner with the DfT on developing a charging infrastructure.

Speaking exclusively to MT, he added that the 2040 deadline for all new HGVs to be zero emission was a “very, very long way off” and told cash-strapped SMEs that the cost of the switch would greatly reduce over time.

“Look to cars and buses,” Holden (pictured) said. “The differentials on price between zero carbon and non-zero carbon vehicles are coming down all the time and they’ll keep going in that direction. Commercial bus operators are now choosing to buy zeroemission vehicles even without government funding support.”

Responding to recent criticism from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) that the DfT still had no rollout plan for charging infrastructure, or incentives for operators, he said: “We are very aware of the differences in this sector, and also the capital investment that will need to go in. We also acknowledge that there will be a diesel fleet, albeit an increasingly efficient one, on the roads for quite a long time to come.”

Asked what the government’s timeline was for developing a national charging infrastructure, he said: “This isn’t all about government acting, this is also about the commercial sector picking up in this space. Nobody is banging on to me saying the government must buy every petrol station in the country to ensure we have enough. So this is about partnership.”

Holden also hinted that the 2040 deadline for all new HGVs to be zero emission was not set in stone. “We’re looking at a 17-year phasing in period – at least,” he said. “That’s only going to be the planning of the new ones. There’s still going to be a phasing out of current HGV fleets.”

He added the product cycle for HGVs was generally around seven years. “That means we’re probably currently in the one before any switch,” he said. “At the equivalent time in the car sector you were still looking at hybridisation, charging on the go, using braking to recharge etc. All that work is still in development around HGV, with lots of lessons that can easily be learnt.”

Asked where long-haul fleet operators might ultimately invest, Holden said the answer was “still up in the air”.

“With refrigeration units, the technology can move a little more quickly,” he explained. “But that’s the reason we’ve kept the Freight Innovation Fund going, because HGV isn’t as clear as it is for car yet.”

TALKING TRAILERS: This year’s summer tradeshow, Road Transport Expo (RTX), will welcome a host of well-known trailer-makers with their latest cutting-edge models to NAEC Stoneleigh from 28-30 June. You can discuss all your business needs from curtainsiders, boxvans and skeletals to temperaturecontrolled and bulk haulage models. You’ll also be able to explore essential equipment including coupling systems, materials handling attachments, tyres and hydraulics. RTX is a free-to-attend, three-day event with an ‘all about the truck’ mantra. Find out more and book your place at roadtransportexpo.co.uk

RAISE A GLASS: Logistics firm Maritime Transport has landed a three-year extension to its distribution contract with drinks company Heineken UK (HUK), in a move which doubles the volumes transported. Maritime will continue to manage the national distribution of Heineken products from its UK facilities in Manchester and Tadcaster, while servicing customer deliveries from the brewer’s 627,000sq ft national DC in Derby. Maritime will also review its carbon-saving initiatives for HUK, including the use of HVO fuel, having recently installed HVO fuel tanks at its transport depots in Bardon and Tilbury. Maritime deputy chief executive Alex Williams said: “Since 2021, HUK has benefitted significantly from our national distribution network encompassing 1,600 vehicles and 3,300 trailers maximising efficiency. This extension highlights our reputation in establishing close relationships with our valued customers.”