In the next two decades, all new vehicles in the UK will be zero-emission following a Government announcement today.
Already, 95% of new passenger cars in the UK will be electric by 2030, with hybrid vehicles fazed out from 2035. At COP26, the UK Government has further announced that all new HGVs will be zero-emission by 2040.
The 2040 target means the UK will be the first country in the world to phase out non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles.
From 2035, heavy goods vehicles under 26-tonnes will be zero-emission, and all HGVs over 26-tonnes will be zero-emission by 2040.
An ambitious target
However, it isn’t clear how the UK government plans to achieve this goal, considering there aren’t many viable electric HGVs on the market today.
The Mercedes eActros electric HGV is a viable electric HGV. It has an immense 400kWh battery, delivering a range of 250-miles and charging from 20% to 80% capacity in 1 hour at a 150kW fast charger.
For the market to switch to electric without affecting logistical supply chains, electric lorries will have to deliver the same range as the diesel equivalent and prices will have to fall in line with diesel lorries, otherwise, the sector could collapse.
Source: UK Government.
