Electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) can already match, and in some cases exceed, diesel performance on local wholesale delivery routes, according to new data.
A case study from the Scottish Wholesale Association, Renault Trucks and contract hire provider Vertellus found that up to 95% of short and regional journeys are achievable using electric trucks.
United Wholesale Scotland and Creed Foodservice took part in the Vertellus EV Discovery Programme, which allows wholesalers to lease 18-tonne Renault Trucks E-Tech D electric HGVs for 12 months at a cost comparable to diesel equivalents.
Operating the vehicles in real-world conditions across multiple seasons and on multi-drop food and drink delivery routes, the trial found that the eHGVs consistently matched or exceeded diesel performance.
Trial vehicles used just 36% of battery capacity on average, which the SWA said indicated “significant headroom” to increase utilisation.
Emissions savings exceeded 50kg of CO2 per 100km, equating to 10 to 13 tonnes annually per vehicle.
Depot-based charging also delivered lower running costs than diesel. Based on prices in February, United Wholesale Scotland reported costs of around £10 to £20 lower per 100km, while Creed Foodservice estimated an annual saving of £6,630.
“Joining the EV Discovery Programme offered both companies an opportunity to accelerate their journey towards net zero by testing eHGVs in real-world operations, while gaining practical insights into electric vehicles in fleet operations,” said Ylva Haglund, SWA head of sustainability and communications.
“The wholesale sector has understandable reasons to be cautious about electrification – tight schedules, thin margins, and no room for deliveries to fail. What this trial shows is that those concerns and the reality of electric HGVs are starting to diverge. That should give wholesalers confidence to begin their own transition.”
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