DP World is expanding its Low Carbon Truck Programme (LCTP) in the United Kingdom through a new electric truck rental initiative at the Port of Southampton, offering logistics operators the opportunity to trial battery-electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
The Electric Vehicle Introduction and Transition Accelerator (EVITA) program will launch in July and allow participating hauliers to rent electric trucks for periods of up to 12 weeks.
Supporting Electric Truck Adoption
The initiative follows a pilot project conducted earlier this year in collaboration with the University of Cambridge’s JOLT program.
According to DP World, the trial is intended to help freight operators evaluate how electric trucks perform on their own routes and within their existing logistics operations compared with diesel-powered vehicles.
The company said rental costs have been structured to align closely with those of conventional diesel trucks in an effort to lower barriers to participation.
Multiple Electric Truck Models Available
Initially, the program will offer electric trucks from Mercedes-Benz, Volvo Trucks, and MAN, with an additional vehicle model expected to be introduced in October.
DP World is working with vehicle rental specialist Hireco on the initiative and estimates that up to 100 electric truck trials could be conducted through the program.
Several logistics companies have already begun participating, including Williams Shipping and ATL Haulage.
Performance Monitoring and Charging Access
The electric trucks participating in the trial are equipped with monitoring systems that provide operators with data on vehicle performance and emissions.
Participating companies will also have access to charging infrastructure at DP World’s Southampton driver rest facility, which includes two 360 kW charging stations designed for electric heavy-duty vehicles.
Freight Sector Decarbonization
Road transport remains the dominant mode of freight movement in the UK, accounting for more than 80% of freight transport activity.
As a result, fleet electrification is increasingly viewed as an important component of efforts to reduce emissions from the logistics sector.
John Trenchard, Vice President of Sustainable Supply Chains – Europe at DP World, said the initiative is intended to provide practical experience with electric freight vehicles.
“More than 80% of UK freight is transported by road, so decarbonisation initiatives that empower hauliers to take action on their own supply chains are key for the UK energy transition.”
“With the EVITA trial, DP World is demonstrating its commitment to enabling the industry to adopt more sustainable methods of moving goods through a practical and commercially attractive pathway.”
Real-World Testing
ATL Haulage, one of the companies participating in the program, said the trial is helping it better understand the operational requirements of electric truck deployment.
Managing Director Drew Roberts said the experience has highlighted differences between managing electric and diesel vehicle fleets.
“A month in with the MAN electric HGV and we’re doing exactly what EVITA was designed for – testing, learning and adapting.”
“We came into this to de-risk the unknown and that’s exactly what’s happening.”
The EVITA program forms part of broader efforts by DP World to support lower-emission freight transportation while providing operators with practical experience of electric truck technology before making longer-term fleet investment decisions.