FROM THE
INDUSTRY
The challenges of electrifying Heavy Goods and Commercial Vehicles
As the number of fully electric vehicles on UK roads passes the 1 million milestone, Giles Benbow, Senior Manager of Business and Partnership Development at Mer UK, examines the challenges of electrifying commercial and heavy goods vehicles and what fleet managers need to overcome.
While the focus has been on cars and private transport, the benefits of electrifying commercial vehicles are equally significant due to their potential to reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. So, why the hesitance in transitioning commercial vehicles to electricity?
Do you have enough power to charge your fleet?
Transport accounts for 26% of the UK’s total emissions, the highest of any sector. HGVs contribute 19% of domestic transport emissions, while LCVs are responsible for 16%. Together, they emit 34 million tonnes of CO2e. Electrifying these vehicles would significantly reduce carbon emissions, which is why the government has mandated that sales of new, non-zero emission HGVs weighing 26 tonnes and under will be phased out by 2035, and all new HGVs will be zero-emission by 2040.
The transition is evident in the rise of Battery Electric Van (BEV) registrations, which grew by 21% in 2023. However, only 5.2% of LCV registrations in early 2023 were electric, and electric HGVs were less than 3%. Achieving the goal of BEVs representing 10% of the market in 2024 remains a challenge.
“Strong partnerships with experts are crucial. Running a heavy-duty fleet is challenging enough without having to master electrical infrastructure.”
Cost is a major barrier
One significant barrier to decarbonising HGV and LCV fleets is cost. Fleet managers typically replace their fleets every four to five years, but electric models are more expensive than diesel ones. A typical battery electric truck costs around two to three times more than its diesel equivalent.
Additionally, the cost of power is high – not just the electricity itself but also the expense of getting it from the grid to the battery. Public charging at the scale required to power a van or HGV is costly, as is installing on-site charging infrastructure. Until the cost of vehicles and EV infrastructure becomes more affordable, the Total Cost of Operation for a heavy load fleet will remain a significant barrier.
Disruption is another challenge
Installing charging infrastructure for an organisation’s heavy vehicle fleet involves complex and potentially disruptive processes. Charging vehicles with large payloads requires more than just installing some chargers; it often involves provisioning tens of megawatts of power, requiring permissions and engineering work that can take months or even years. The processes that fleet managers and distribution network operators (DNOs) need to go through to upgrade supply and bring in new connections are intricate and multifaceted.
Navigating the complexities
The industry has consulted with fleet owners, operators, and industry bodies like the Road Haulage Association to develop innovative solutions that make the transition affordable, accessible, and sustainable for larger EVs. Solutions vary depending on site circumstances and may include build, own, operate models for on-site charging infrastructure or holistic outsourcing to an experienced EV mobility service provider.
The starting point is a comprehensive analysis of current and future needs. This includes a full site-by-site investigation to accommodate growth and advances in battery technology.
Strong partnerships with experts are crucial. Running a heavy-duty fleet is challenging enough without having to master electrical infrastructure. Decarbonising fleets involves acquiring new LCVs and HGVs and provisioning a different way to fuel them without disrupting operations.
To find out more about overcoming the challenges to charging electric CVs and HGVs, Mer has created a bespoke eguide for fleet managers which will take you through the step-by-step process to installing the right EV charging at your depots.
Download our e-guide today.
Giles Benbow
Senior Manager of Business and Partnership Development at Mer UK
End-to-end electric fleet charging solutions
Now’s the time to electrify your fleet.
Installing EV charging infrastructure to power electric fleets can often be complex.
Mer are experts in this field. Counting IKEA, DX Delivery, Kings College London and Milk & More as clients, we have the experience to deliver on your EV goals.
