The first electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) from the eFreight 2030 consortium has been delivered to Welch’s Transport in Cambridgeshire. The 42-tonne Renault Truck will operate from the company’s Duxford site, handling regional distribution and long-haul deliveries. This marks the first use of Renault Trucks' heavy-duty electric model in UK operations.
Welch’s Transport and Renault Trucks are among the 14 founding members of eFreight 2030, part of the Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme. The initiative aims to introduce 100 eHGVs and 32 new charging locations, helping shape the future of zero-emission transport in the UK.
Chris Welch, managing director of Welch’s Transport, highlighted the company's commitment to sustainability, noting that the addition of the electric HGV is a significant milestone in decarbonising road freight. The company has already invested in electric vehicles, including a 19-tonne e-truck for Cambridge's Net Zero delivery service and a 150kW supercharger at its Duxford site.
Michael Boxwell, Group CEO of Voltempo, which leads the eFreight 2030 consortium, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that real-world insights from eHGV operations will demonstrate how electric vehicles can replace conventional HGVs at scale.
