London, UK: The Road Haulage Association is calling on the new government to urgently tackle investment in infrastructure for electric trucks, stressing there is just one public charging point for HGVs in the whole of the UK.
The association found only one public charging point for lorries located at a service station at Rivington, on the M61 southbound, reports an article in the Guardian.
The RHA wants the incoming government to build a trial network of HGV charging points, speed up planning applications for HGV electric substations at truck depots, and offer financial incentives for small and medium-sized businesses to make the switch to electric.
Chris Ashley, policy lead on environment and vehicles at the RHA, said:
“On average, a good range for a diesel truck would be 600 miles, with caveats of course. That is why a public charging network is necessary, in our view,” he said.
Research shows 70% of British electric trucks return to depots for recharging overnight, according to the RHA. Most electric trucks are used for local deliveries within a 50- to 80-mile radius.
