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By John Millar
Posted about 2 months ago
DFDS deploys 10 heavy-duty electric trucks in the UK
DFDS is set to become one of the biggest operators of heavy-duty electric trucks in the UK with the introduction of 10 electric trucks to deliver goods in east and northwest England and in Ireland.
“DFDS wants to drive the transition to low-emission road transport. We are pleased to be deploying electric trucks in the UK, which will enable us to support more companies that want to decarbonise their supply chains. There are still challenges ahead and we need to work together across sectors to be successful, for example in setting up charging infrastructure, but DFDS is committed to do whatever we can to push the development forward,” says Allan Bell, Vice President and head of DFDS Logistics in UK & Ireland.
1.2 million miles driven with eTrucks in first half year of 2024
Since 2022, DFDS has continually expanded its fleet of electric trucks and today operates in Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany as demand for low emissions transport solutions is increasing.
In total DFDS has deployed 115 electric trucks, with 110 more on the way. So far, during the first half of the year (Jan-Jun ‘24) the fleet has driven more than 1,2 million miles achieving a CO2e emissions reduction of 2.112 tonnes.
“We already have extensive experience operating electric trucks on several European markets, and we will use that experience in the UK. The interest from UK companies in more sustainable road transport solutions is substantial, and we have ambitions to scale up our low-emission transport offerings in the future. And with electric trucks operating across our extensive network, we can help lower the emissions for customers not only in the UK but on freight across Europe,” says Allan Bell.
DFDS is a partner in the UK based Zero Emission Northern (ZEN) Freight consortium which is working to accelerate the decarbonisation of HGVs. The consortium plans to establish a network of hydrogen refuelling and electric charging stations.
DFDS has a groupwide target to have at least 25 percent of its truck fleet electrified by 2030 and DFDS is collaborating with several energy partners to set up the charging infrastructure to serve the eTrucks, with charging stations in several markets such as Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.
About DFDS in the UK
- More than 20 logistics offices and operates in 5 UK ports
- ~3,300 UK employees (incl. ~400 seafarers)
- 12 ferry routes to/from UK connecting to France, The Netherlands, Sweden and Germany
