Edinburgh, Scotland: The Scottish government has revealed its HGV Decarbonisation Pathway which sets out plans to move to zero-emission trucks. Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, launched the pathway during a keynote address to the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference.
Hyslop said the four main challenges ahead are:
- energy infrastructure
- financial models
- confidence in technological and commercial change
- workforce skills.
“This partnership with road haulage, manufacturing, energy, government, union, and commercial finance sectors is absolutely key to accelerating the transition towards zero-emission trucks,” said Hyslop.
“Scotland’s economy – and society as a whole – rely on goods being moved with speed and efficiency, but these freight movements emit substantial greenhouse gases. We have worked collectively to understand and address the hurdles to transition.”
RHA policy lead for environment and vehicles Chris Ashley said: “This is a welcome first step for transitioning to net zero and marks an important moment in the journey towards decarbonisation.
“Decarbonising lorries whilst maintaining the high levels of service the public expect is complex with many structural barriers, such as financing the transition and providing the required energy infrastructure.
“The Pathway allows Scottish authorities and industry to start navigating the difficult issues that lie ahead and a focus to ensure that businesses, including our vital small businesses, feel supported.”
The RHA’s public affairs & policy director, Martin Reid stressed that transport firms need more support to decarbonise. He told BBC Scotland that huge costs switching from diesel and lack of infrastructure are barriers. Clarity and incentivisation are key, he said.
Chief executive of the British Vehicle Renting & Leasing Association, Gerry Keaney said: “Trucks keep the country moving. Finding greener alternatives to today’s vehicles is non-negotiable and we need to pick up the pace. We have seen exceptional progress in the car market, but trucks present a different scale of challenge. Without getting everybody around the table to find solutions that work, the transition to greener trucks will stop before it’s fully started.
“It is encouraging to see Transport Scotland leading from the front on this. Success relies on creative and consistent collaboration. It is about operators transitioning what they can, when they can. Leasing plays a critical role. Far beyond simply providing vehicles, our members are helping operators overcome infrastructure issues and much more. Our members are vital partners in supporting operators to make an affordable and effective transition to greener trucks.”
