eFREIGHT 2030

Voltempo are proud to be leading eFREIGHT 2030 Accelerating the uptake of zero emission HGVs
eFREIGHT 2030 selected for UK Government Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator (ZEHID) programme.

eFREIGHT 2030 is a consortium of electric HGV manufacturers, fleet operators, electric HGV charging infrastructure providers and data analysts, creating the business models for electrifying the heavy road freight industry by scale.

This £76M project is creating a national network of electric HGV charging hubs using Voltempo’s unique 1MW HyperCharging technology, and rolling out articulated electric HGVs across multiple fleets.

Led by Voltempo, and chaired by Sir Vince Cable, former Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy, the consortium includes Marks & Spencer, Eddie Stobart, Scania, Maritime, Wincanton, Renault, Menzies, DAF, Welch’s Transport, Tarmac, Kuehne+Nagel, Dynamon, Expect Distribution, Fleet-e, The Energy Systems Catapult, and is recruiting additional members. The project is supported by the Department for Transport, who have provided £49.2 of investment into the programme.

Voltempo raised over £76M, including winning a £49.2M Government grant, to create a national electric-HGV charging network and rollout the first 100 electric HGVs across the industry by the end of 2025.

The eFREIGHT 2030 project aims to remove the barriers that impede adoption of electric HGVs at scale, creating business case and cost of ownership modelling, raising awareness of electric HGVs, testing electric HGVs in real world environments, and building electric HGV charging infrastructure ahead of need in key locations across the country. The consortium is also working with Government to change legislation, enabling policy change to support electric HGVs.

The programme will continue until January 2031, enabling widespread rollouts of electric HGVs, unlocking an expected £500M of private investment into electric HGVs and electric HGV charging infrastructure and putting the United Kingdom at the forefront of decarbonising heavy road freight.

MOVING THE eHGV INDUSTRY FORWARD, TOGETHER

To make a transformational difference to the eHGV industry and UK sustainability targets requires the collaboration of market leaders and organisations.

Establishing eFREIGHT 2030 has enabled Voltempo to bring together industry partners and have them engaged, united and moving forward together as an industry and at pace. Together, competitiveness is parked, positive change is influenced and embraced. All needs are catered for e.g providing the right facilities within future charging depots/stations, secure and appropriate for all drivers, females and male.

eFREIGHT2030 CONSORTIUM MEMBERS

Fleets: Menzies Distribution, Wincanton, Kuehne+Nagel, Tarmac, Maritime Transport, Eddie Stobart, Welch’s Transport and Expect Distribution

Retailers: Marks & Spencer

OEMs: DAF Trucks, Renault Trucks, Scania, Berkeley Industries

Software providers: Dynamon, Fleete Group

Public charging operators: Fleete Group

Research and data: Energy Systems Catapult, Green Collar

Charge point manufacturer and project lead: Voltempo Group

Work on the eFREIGHT 2030 project began in early 2024, targets to 2026:

100 vehicles (HGV 4×2 and 6×2 tractor)
35 sites
240 charging bays
By 2030, we will have 3,500 electric-HGVs and 500 charging hubs, eliminating 140 kilotonnes of CO2, reducing diesel usage by 57M litres per year. This represents additional £500M industry investment into the programme.

Each charging hub has at least six bays, including megawatt charging, suitable for next generation e-HGVs. Chargers are manufactured by Voltempo in Birmingham, creating fifty new jobs. Charging hubs will be installed by motorways, airports, docks and logistics centres across the country.

We liaise directly with the DfT on vehicle legislation changes to support electric-HGVs, successfully positioning ourselves as the industries decarbonisation champions.

ZEHID

The aim of the Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator (ZEHID) programme is to stimulate the deployment of long haul zero emission HGVs with a multi-year demonstration of 40 – 44t battery electric trucks, including the development of the required business models for scalable deployment and a network of dedicated infrastructure. 

The Project

Voltempo’s role is to coordinate, manage and lead the consortium to deliver both the strategic and tactical aims of the broader ZEHID programme. The group consists of fleets, retailers, OEMs, software providers, researchers and data scientists and chargepoint manufacturers.

Outcomes include the creation of high performing business and operating models to support the ZEHID programme. The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium will introduce 100 electric HGVs and 35 new charging locations, all of which will have megawatt-charging capacity.

As well as the nominated vehicle operators, the consortium includes a number of vehicles to be managed by the vehicle leasing company Vertellus as an extension of its EV Discovery Programme, which enables electric vehicle operation on a subscription basis. This will allow other fleet operators and SMEs to join the eFREIGHT 2030 programme as associate members of the consortium. 

Meet our eFREIGHT 2030 Chairman

Sir Vince Cable, former Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy, as chairman, raised £76M in funding, including £49.2M Department for Transport grants.

“We are delighted that the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium has been selected to participate in the Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme, to accelerate the EV revolution that will decarbonise heavy duty transport. eFREIGHT 2030 will create UK jobs in the industries of the future, as well as unlocking investment into zero emission electric HGVs that meet the pressing need to reduce fossil fuels and improve air quality. We recognise that to create a greener and more sustainable future for road freight transport will require success in developing different zero-emission fuels and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the contribution which EV technology can bring to bear.”

Sir Vince Cable – Chairman

Meet Michael Boxwell, Group CEO, Voltempo

Michael naturally thinks bigger picture, he has the ambition and enthusiasm to change the world for the better, innovatively. His ability to think about resolving issues and engaging partners to join him on his journey is unique and makes him an incredibly well liked and respected thought leader.

Led by Voltempo, developers of the British designed and manufactured electric HGV megawatt charging system, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium members are seeking to lead the way in decarbonising their operations and business sectors.    

“We’re delighted to bring together a group of experts in the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium with the ideas and ambition to transform the distribution sector. Their combined experience will both prove the case for today’s technology and create the path to tomorrow’s. We look forward to 2030 when electric commercial vehicles will be commonplace on our roads, and when we can look back on the value of the Government’s investment on Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme.”

Michael Boxwell – Group CEO of Voltempo