DP World is expanding its Low Carbon Truck Programme (LCTP) in the UK with a second phase, called the Electric Vehicle Introduction and Transition Accelerator (EVITA) trial, offering members the chance to rent and test electric HGVs at Southampton Port.
The new phase builds on a pilot launched in January in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and Project JOLT. Running from July until 2029, the program lets hauliers operate electric HGVs at costs aligned with diesel vehicles for 12-week trial periods under real-world operating conditions.
More than 1,500 trucks are now registered to the Low Carbon Truck Programme, supporting more than 60 UK hauliers. The EVITA trial is designed to help members compare how electric HGVs perform on their own routes and supply chains against traditional diesel trucks.
Several hauliers, including Williams Shipping and ATL Haulage, have already received electric HGVs under the initiative. The vehicles are fitted with tracking systems that let participating customers monitor performance, efficiency and environmental impact.
Electric HGVs from Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and MAN are initially available, with a fourth manufacturer to be added in October. Delivered in partnership with Hireco, the program is expected to provide up to 100 trial opportunities for hauliers over its three-year run.
John Trenchard, vice president, sustainable supply chains – Europe at DP World, said, “More than 80% of UK freight is transported by road, so decarbonization initiatives that empower hauliers to take action on their own supply chains are key for the UK energy transition. With the EVITA trial, DP World is demonstrating its commitment to enabling the industry to adopt more sustainable methods of moving goods through a practical and commercially attractive pathway.
“DP World sees its future growth in the net zero economy, so over the next three years, we’re aiming to provide around 100 trial opportunities for hauliers on the program, giving them early access to the real-world experiences of managing their operations with electric trucks.”
Drew Roberts, managing director of ATL Haulage, said, “A month in with the MAN electric HGV and we’re doing exactly what EVITA was designed for – testing, learning and adapting. Integrating the new vehicle into our daily container moves from DP World Southampton has highlighted the operational differences between EV and ICE management in ways you can only understand by doing it. Driver feedback has been positive so far and the questions the trial is raising are the right ones. We came into this to de-risk the unknown and that’s exactly what’s happening.”
The first phase of the EVITA trial launched in January, giving select hauliers access to four electric HGVs at cost parity with diesel trucks, along with DP World’s twin 360kWh electric HGV charging stations at its newly opened driver welfare facility at Southampton.
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