After the biggest commercial electronic vehicle (EV) trial was conducted in July 2021, it has been shown that the charging and cost challenges the technology presents can be met. It was carried out to determine how price and energy demands can be overcome while also meeting the typical fleet owner’s range requirements. 

Behind the trials is Optimise Prime – an industry-led Network Innovation Competition (NIC) funded project. Led by both Hitachi Europe and electricity distributor UK power networks, it involved more than 8,000 EVs from Uber, Centrica and a UK depot-based parcel carrier. It was also supported by Southern Electricity and Novuna Vehicle solutions.

A Range of Applications Trialled 

The trial looked closely at home, depot and on-the-road charging, with Hitachi stating that the project provides a complete overview of what switching to EVs looks like in terms of cables and substations that serve the community with electricity. It also examined the needs of businesses and the required investment in infrastructure.

A major insight that the trial provided was that it demonstrated that the move to an electrically-driven haulage industry is more cost-effective, quicker and simpler than many fleet managers previously believed possible. 

“The Ambitious EV Rollout Is Possible”

Among the key findings was that EV vehicles are able to cover typical range requirements for every type of fleet, meaning electrification is both achievable and feasible. Hitachi Europe’s Optimise Prime business lead, John Whybrow, had this to say: 

“Our work alongside key partners in this trial has shown that the ambitious EV rollout is possible, and with the use of data, we can overcome the challenges being faced by businesses, such as costs and charging availability.

Also contributing to the discussion was UK Power Network’s director of customer service, Ian Cameron, who added: “We set out to come up with practical solutions to cut the cost of fleets going electric, and that’s exactly what we have done – along with a mass of insights and learnings to help fleet managers”.

As such, it would appear that the reality of EV lorries travelling up and down UK motorways in the future has taken another big step closer. 

Reducing the Environmental Impact of UK Haulage

Operating in an environmentally-friendly way has been a focus of the UK haulage industry for some time now, and we welcome the move to greener alternatives. The question mark with EVs was always whether they represented a viable alternative to their diesel-powered counterparts. It would appear that they are and their wholesale introduction is inching closer. 

However quickly events progress, the HGVC team will continue offering industry-leading HGV licence acquisition programs via our large UK network of training centres. To find out more about what we’re doing to address the UK’s ongoing driver shortage, please take a moment to look around our website where you’ll find what you need. 

Alternatively, to get in touch directly, either click ‘contact us’ or call 0330 818 8888, and a member of our team will be more than happy to discuss your needs.