Which Companies Are Using Fully Electric Vans & HGVs?

Electric vehicles account for less than 1% of fleet vehicles, but that percentage is predicted to rise to 12% by 2030. Falling battery costs, industry alliances, and government incentives, which include no congestion charges for electric vehicles in London; all put pressure on the industry’s top international companies to step up their game. And this is no exception for an electric van or HGV.

Companies are starting to convert to fully electric methods within their business. But, which companies are using fully electric HGVs. Find out here.

 

Amazon

For the first time in the UK, Amazon is introducing five electric vans and HGVs to its delivery fleet. The 37-tonne completely electric lorries are currently hauling client items with zero exhaust emissions and battery power from Amazon’s fulfilment centres in Tilbury and Milton Keynes. The five trucks will replace diesel HGVs, resulting in up to 100,000 yearly road miles driven on renewable electricity rather than diesel, avoiding the emission of 170 tonnes of CO2.

This marks an important step in Amazon’s commitment to becoming carbon-free by 2030; as HGVs currently amount to 16% of the UK transport emissions.

 

Tesco

Tesco has also begun working towards an electric future. At their distribution centre in Wales, this electric van will transport goods from the rail terminal in Cardiff to the company’s hub in Magor. All with a new hybrid system.

It will also help the supermarket chain achieve net-zero emissions in its own operations by 2035, as well as FSEW’s efforts to replace over 40 diesel vehicles with low-carbon alternatives and transition to fleet-wide zero-emissions transportation operations by 2025. These two electric vehicles will replace around 65,000 diesel-fueled road miles with clean green energy, reducing 87.4 tonnes of CO2e per year.

 

Tesla

Probably the biggest company in the electric van and car industry, Tesla has announced their new design for HGVS; the Tesla Semi. A fully electric van, the Semi will be the safest truck to this date.

To enhance airflow to the big cubic capacity engines, diesel trucks typically have massive grilles. Because it is an electric vehicle, the Tesla Semi’s nose is blanked off, and its chin contains a small air inlet to cool the battery, which is located between the front and rear axles.

The range would be a major worry for HGVs. On paper, Tesla has addressed range anxiety in great detail. There will be two battery variants, one with a range of 300 miles and the other with a range of 500 miles. With less than 2 kWh per mile, the energy consumption is said to be extremely low.

 

Portable EV Chargers

However, though the problem may have been addressed, will this come into action in time? An electric van will seemingly be the future of transportation. Yet, these long hauls will require a vast amount of electricity.

That’s where portable EV chargers can help. Instead of having to rely on the nearest EV charging station; where there may not be enough chargers to meet demand, drivers can instead rely on themselves. These portable EV chargers allow a driver to charge where and whenever they would like; giving them the choice instead of depending on opportunity. It removes range anxiety from an otherwise stressful trip.

 

Elite Electric Vehicle

Elite EV Charge provides temporary and permanent EV charging solutions for vehicles all over the UK. Whether this is destination charging or hiring charge points for events; we advocate the use of portable EV chargers to help lower the planet’s carbon footprint. One charger at a time.

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