More organisations are said to be benefitting from subsidised electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) through The Electric Freightway project, led by GRIDSERVE as part of the Department for Transport and Innovate UK's Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme.

The announcement follows the release of a third report by primary partners Hitachi ZeroCarbon, which reveals heightened demand for eHGVs from the programme's consortium partners and shows that over half a million zero-emission miles have been driven by vehicles involved in the programme. 

The Electric Freightway project, which began in 2023, brings together more than 30 consortium partners to inform the UK's transition to zero tailpipe emissions freight. Whilst the first two reports focused on the project's objectives and planning stages, the third report provides an update on the rollout of eHGVs and charging infrastructure.

Demand has exceeded the initiative's original target of 140 eHGV orders, with the report showing that 79 electric trucks have been delivered to fleet operators and a further 78 are on order.

More than 20 organisations have now benefited from the project, including major businesses such as Amazon, Royal Mail, GXO, and Wincanton, spanning sectors from retail and manufacturing to logistics and utilities.

The report also highlighted that additional infrastructure is in development, including completion of the first high-speed depot charging facilities alongside the 10-bay shared Charge Yard at Nissan's Sunderland factory.

Construction is already underway at several key locations for public eHGV charging sites, with the first public hubs set to open later this year. The new infrastructure is expected to provide crucial flexibility for operators and enable long-haul journeys.

Keir Mather MP, Minister for Aviation, Maritime, and Decarbonisation, said: "To create a cleaner planet and a stronger economy, it's essential the lorries and vans delivering goods across our country are supported to make the move to zero emissions.

"That's why we've invested £200 million to put more zero-emission lorries onto our roads and build the charging network that keeps them moving. As this report shows, the rollout is well underway and the future of freight is green."

For more information on the Electric Freightway project you can visit: https://www.hitachizerocarbon.com/electric-freightway/