For many suppliers committed to decarbonising their logistics operations, battery electric HGVS present an effective long term solution - being truly zero carbon at the tailpipe. However, uncertainty over load capacity, charging times, infrastructure and range are all key concerns. Trialling Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) offers the opportunity to assess how electric vehicles could fit supplier operational requirements.
Project JOLT (Joint Operator Logistics Trial), led by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (SRF), in partnership with Volvo Trucks UK and Flexible Power Systems, offers HGV operators access to a shared fleet of electric vehicles and mobile chargers. This initiative provides the opportunity to develop the knowledge and models needed to de-risk electric freight and inform investment decisions.
How the trial works
Over a 3 month trial period, high resolution operational data, including vehicle and charger performance, operational efficiency and costs, will be collected during each trial period and then analysed and anonymised. Learnings will be in a pre-competitive environment to develop a clear understanding of how electric vehicles and charging infrastructure can be deployed most effectively. All shared data will be subject to the provisions of a Data Confidentiality Agreement which will be agreed between all partners before the work starts.
The trial is open to all HGV operators becoming involved by accessing a shared vehicle fleet supplied by OEMs or sharing data from their own vehicles.
Parties interested in joining the Project JOLT scheme should email SRF on vl270@cam.ac.uk or call Guy Grange at FPS on 01342 360240.
The Opportunity of BEVs
The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (SRF) has found that BEVs (600-800kWh) can perform all current road haulage in the UK with suitable charging infrastructure as provided through the trial, with fast chargers located at stops, warehouses and depots.
The current EVs on the UK market can cover distances up to approximately 150 - 200 miles. This capability works well for urban areas and shunting between short distances to DCs.
UK driving hours rules dictate a break of 45 minutes after driving for 4.5 hours, with 4.5 hours of driving equating to about 150 miles, this break provides a charging solution where high-power megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) (although yet to be rolled out at scale) will be able to recharge a battery within the UK mandated driver break time.
You can find out more about Project Jolt at the Decarbonising Logistics Showcase, 6th November, DIRFT. They will be exhibiting along with electric HGV manufacturer Volvo. Find out more about the showcase here.
