Electric commercial vehicle charging solutions firm TUAL has secured a share of the £14 million in joint government and industry funding to drive innovation in the freight sector with the Department for Transport.
The funding will back a project in collaboration with supply chain solutions provider Wincanton aimed at trialling high-performance powerbanks for electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs).
It forms part of the third round of the Department for Transport’s Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator Programme delivered by Connected Places Catapult, which is a £7 million initiative spanning three years.
The programme is designed to bolster the freight sector’s efficiency by fostering the deployment of advanced technologies such as swappable powerbanks, AI and automation to improve goods transportation across rail, road, and sea.
It is hoped that the project will bring “significant advantages” to the freight industry, assisting with the curbing of carbon emissions, and increasing the operational efficiency of electric lorries by addressing range limitations and charging challenges.
Philip Clarke, Founder and CEO of TUAL, said:
“We are delighted to be working with the Department for Transport, Connected Places Catapult and Wincanton on this forward-thinking project to trial our high-performance powerbanks for electric trucks.
“The funding we’ve received from the Department for Transport’s Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator Programme expedites the development of our cutting-edge solution, enabling us to extend the range and operational capabilities of eHGVs while introducing new efficiencies to fleet management.
“Our collaboration with Wincanton will play an important role in showcasing the transformational potential of our swappable powerbank technology for the logistics sector, and we’re excited to be a part of taking eHGV capabilities to new heights.”
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