By John Challen

March 2024 saw the publication of the ‘HGV Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland’ report by Transport Scotland. The result of an 18-month project, the goal was to work with sectors of haulage, manufacturing, energy, government, union and finance to understand the issues surrounding the adoption of zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in Scotland. The work was a collaboration between 15 organisations including Scottish Power, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Transport Scotland itself.

The report outlined four key challenges: energy infrastructure; financial models; confidence in technology and commercial change, and workforce skills. In addition, the taskforce behind the initiative came to three bold conclusions that it says must shape all further action. These are: working collaboratively is essential; where the technology is proven and commercially viable, haulage, energy and finance businesses should be transitioning now; and that action is needed to enable smaller fleet operators to collaborate, reducing the risk and opening up opportunities. 

To help meet specific targets and overall goals, the team behind the pathway has drawn up a timeline from now until 2040, at which point it will join the previous UK government’s commitments that all new HGVs must be zero emission (the date for new HGVs under 26 tonnes is 2035). Between now and then, milestones include bus operators and public fleets sharing energy infrastructure with other fleets within two years and, by 2029, mechanisms being developed for small fleets to access the commercial investment and economies of scale available to larger fleets. 

Service balanced with climate goals

“The HGV Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland marks an important moment in the journey towards net zero,” states Chris Ashley, Head of Policy (Environment & Regulation) at RHA. “Decarbonising lorries whilst maintaining the high levels of service the public expect is complex with many structural barriers, such as financing the transition and providing the required energy infrastructure.

“[This] pathway allows Scottish authorities and industry to start navigating the difficult issues that lie ahead and a focus to ensure that businesses, including our vital small businesses, feel supported.”

Transport Scotland has acknowledged that the pathway is one of the early steps on a much longer decarbonisation journey, however it also stated that a lot had happened in the 18 months since the taskforce begun working on the report. ‘Many countries are seeking to decarbonise their transport systems at speed, and international collaboration alongside a willingness to replicate successful enablers will be powerful tools in stimulating change,’ stated the authors. 

The plan is to revisit the commitments it has made on an annual basis to ensure the relevant progress is being made.

Read an update to CIHT’s Transportation Profession Route to Net Zero, including input from Transport Scotland and many others.

Listen to CIHT’s podcast: Electric Road Systems for HGV Decarbonisation.

Newsletter image: HGV driving in Strath Oykel, Scotland; credit: Shutterstock.