The Scottish Wholesale Association has partnered with engineering firm Arcola Energy to conduct a study aimed at cutting vehicle emissions.
The aim of the study is to identify the business case for using fuel cell technology in order to achieve zero-emission road freight.
The investigation is part of a wider project funded by the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Road Freight programme.
Part of the research will involve a trial testing battery-electric vehicles operating within the wholesale sector.
The hope is the research will help to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to drive uptake of zero-emission trucks. Part of the project will also see a ‘total cost of ownership’ analysis to help operators evaluate sustainability.
“We are now in phase two of our own ‘Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Industry’ project designed to help members and the wider wholesale sector become greener and more sustainable,” said SWA CEO Colin Smith.
“With ambitious plans to decarbonise the wholesale food supply chain and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, if not before, we are currently finalising the results of phase one ready for presenting our sector’s fleet make-up and carbon footprint – the outcomes of which have already generated the interest of technology developers such as Arcola Energy and Scottish Power.
“SWA’s involvement in the project puts our sector and members at the forefront of the creation of greener fleets and creates a huge opportunity for members to be the first to transition to fuel cell HGVs.”
The partnership comes as the trade body is halfway to assessing the carbon footprint of its members in a bid to achieve a net zero emissions membership by 2045.
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