The past week delivered significant momentum across the electric HGV space, with councils, parcel operators and national programmes all reporting progress — and zero-emission truck registrations hitting new highs.
Salford’s first eRCV exceeds expectations
Salford City Council says its debut electric refuse truck — a 27-tonne Mercedes-Benz eEconic — is outperforming diesel equivalents on daily rounds. The truck completed its 1,200-bin routes with 40–60% battery charge remaining, covering at least 93 miles per day.
Transport manager Alan Fitzsimons said: “The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is leaps and bounds above the rest… it completed every route with battery range to spare, while competitors struggled.” Drivers also highlighted quiet operation and comfort, with one reporting 36% charge left after seven hours.
DPD begins long-term trial of Mercedes-Benz eActros
DPD has started a real-world evaluation of the eActros 300 lowliner, testing its ability to pull the firm’s double-deck trailers. The truck’s 336kWh battery supports up to 136 miles of range, and will be charged using DPD’s existing 50kW infrastructure.
Sustainability director Tim Jones said the trial will offer “valuable insight into how we can maximise our current charging infrastructure… and how changing seasons affect the vehicle’s performance.”
DPD’s HGV fleet already runs mainly on HVO, cutting emissions by 83%. The company is on track for its 2040 SBTi-validated net-zero target.
Scotland launches £2m ScotCharge decarbonisation programme
A new consortium — ScotCharge — has launched with support from Transport Scotland’s £2 million HGV Market Readiness Fund. Led by Fleete, Vev and Dynamon, the programme is designing an investment-ready roadmap to electrify Scotland’s 36,500-vehicle HGV fleet.
Data modelling will identify electrifiable routes and depot needs, with shared charging hubs planned at strategic freight locations.
Transport Scotland’s Amber Jamieson said the fund is enabling “innovative projects that drive investment in HGV decarbonisation… accelerating the transition to zero-emission HGV fleets.”
Zero-emission truck registrations quadruple
SMMT data shows zero-emission HGV uptake increased 341.2% in Q3 to 225 units, a record 2.4% market share, despite the wider HGV market falling 14.5%. Year-to-date ZEV volumes have climbed 145.8% to 408 trucks, making the UK Europe’s second-largest ZEV HGV market.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Industry continues to invest significantly in zero emission rollout… but more substantial volume growth depends on infrastructure rollout, particularly fast-tracking depot grid connections.”
UK faces severe logistics workforce shortages
Alongside vehicle transition challenges, the RHA warns the UK must train 60,000 new HGV drivers a year to stabilise the workforce, after 100,000 drivers let their DQCs lapse in the past year — one in six of the working-age driver pool.
RHA managing director Richard Smith said urgent action is needed to “future-proof businesses and the supply chain”.
Across Europe, 426,000 driver roles are unfilled, a figure expected to double by 2028, according to the IRU.