The second phase of the programme, called the Electric Vehicle Introduction and Transition Accelerator (EVITA) trial, will begin in July and run until 2029. Participating hauliers will be able to use electric HGVs for 12-week periods under real-world operating conditions.
According to DP World, the aim is to help operators understand how electric trucks perform across their own routes and supply chains before making longer-term investment decisions.
The programme builds on an initial pilot launched in January in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and Project JOLT. DP World says its wider Low Carbon Truck Programme now has more than 1,500 trucks registered and supports more than 60 UK hauliers.
Several hauliers have already received vehicles under the latest phase, including Williams Shipping and ATL Haulage. The trucks are fitted with tracking systems so participating companies can analyse performance, efficiency and environmental impact.
Initially, electric HGVs from Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and MAN will be available, with the fleet set to increase to four vehicles from October. The initiative is being delivered in partnership with Hireco and is expected to provide up to 100 trial opportunities for hauliers over three years.
John Trenchard, Vice President, Sustainable Supply Chains – Europe, at DP World, said more than 80% of UK freight is transported by road, making haulier-led decarbonisation initiatives an important part of the UK’s 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,” he said.
Drew Roberts, Managing Director of ATL Haulage, said the trial was already helping the company understand the operational differences between electric and diesel vehicles.
“A month in with the MAN electric HGV and we’re doing exactly what EVITA was designed for – testing, learning and adapting,” Roberts said. “Integrating the new vehicle into our daily container moves from DP World Southampton has highlighted the operational differences between EV and ICE management in ways you can only understand by doing it.”
He added: “We came into this to de-risk the unknown and that’s exactly what’s happening.”
During the first phase of the EVITA trial, selected hauliers were given access to four electric HGVs at cost parity with diesel trucks. Participants were also able to use DP World’s twin 360kWh electric HGV charging stations at its driver welfare facility in Southampton, allowing two vehicles to charge at the same time.
