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HGVzero taskforce launched to help decarbonise fleets in Europe

A cross-industry action group focused on the decarbonisation of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) is being launched today (13 July) and features some of Europe’s largest shippers and hauliers including Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Tesco, XPO Logistics, Eddie Stobart and DPDgroup.

The new HGVzero taskforce will bring together these companies to help accelerate the decarbonisation of their collective fleets across the continent.

Within the first six months of the programme, HGVzero members will co-develop solutions in support from key industry collaborators to tackle the complex pinch points that have so far hindered successful low-carbon HGV rollouts. This will include: 

  • Shared infrastructure mapping: To support the utilisation of charging infrastructure across common geographies and lanes 
  • Innovation discovery: To map the innovative transition landscape for HGVs
  • Joint action plan: To prioritise and breakdown shared infrastructure barriers and co-create a deployment roadmap for viable HGV projects 

The urgent transition to zero-emission HGVs is vital to meeting global climate targets and the organisations involved are looking to lead this shift through collaborating on a practical level to solve one of the most complex and least understood logistics challenges. 

Matt Pumfrey, CEO, Innovation Gateway, comments: “Decarbonisation of HGVs is a critical business challenge. Innovation and collaboration are at the heart of what we do, and by bringing the best teams in the world together to take action, we will reduce risks and costs and develop solutions for a climate positive future.”

By pooling together their immense experience and resources, HGVzero will look to develop a roadmap that will lead HGV transformation across Europe and beyond; including solutions to overcome costly and risky challenges around long to medium-haul vehicle and fuel technology, multi-fuel charging infrastructure, multi-modal efficiency, and value chain collaboration.

Ellen Young, Director Procurement & GB Lead, Coca-Cola European Partners, adds: Being a part of this collaborative action group will enable us to knowledge share and invest our resources wisely to maximise success in both short- and long-term HGV projects whilst collectively improving future HGV strategy.”

Dr Nicholas Head, Environmental & Sustainability Lead – UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said: HGV decarbonisation is a systemic critical challenge that we must address innovatively and as an industry. That’s why we are particularly excited to be working with a diverse group of organisations, including our haulage peers and global shippers, to develop joint solutions that will further accelerate the sustainability of HGV transport.”

Olly Craughan, Head of Sustainability, DPDgroup, states: “Our sector is recognised as one of the most difficult to decarbonise, and progress towards government targets so far has been slow. As part of HGVzero we want to build on the good work DPD have already completed, through working with other leading organisations to embrace new technologies and deploy more sustainable delivery options at speed.”

Graeme Cooper, Head Future Markets, National Grid, notes: The dirtiest thing we do in the UK is move people and goods so addressing logistics is a critical part of meeting our net zero and clean air goals. It is fantastic to see market leaders collaborating to decarbonise their fleets and going further and faster together in the decarbonisation of HGVs in the UK. Collectively bringing energy, transport and digital sectors to collaborate for success.”

HGVzero is launching Summer 2022, with the first group session on Wednesday 13th July. For organisations wanting to join Coca-Cola, Tesco, XPO, and more, to tackle these challenges hands-on and collectively shape solutions that will accelerate HGV decarbonisation, contact hello@innovationgateway.com

Image courtesy of Coca-Cola.

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