Logistics firm DFDS has put into service the first of eight Volvo FM Electric eHGVs at its depot in Liverpool under the ZENFreight project.
The truck will operate on a dedicated closed-loop route between the FMCG fulfilment centre at the Sandhills Business Park, and Liverpool Port, supporting a critical logistics corridor for goods heading to Ireland.
ZENFreight is part of the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme.
Led by fleet optimisation specialist Dynamon, the ZENFreight consortium comprises major operators including DFDS, John G Russell (Transport), Maritime Transport and Gregory Distribution, as well as truck manufacturers such as Volvo, DAF, Scania and Daimler, and academic partner Imperial College London.
The newly commissioned charging facility at Sandhills Business Park features four charging bays, each capable of delivering 360kWh.
It was developed with Independent Connection Provider (ICP) Envevo and represents the first live infrastructure installation under the ZENFreight programme
A Volvo FM Electric is able to fully charge in two hours, enabling it to complete three to four delivery cycles per day on a single charge.
Allan Bell, Vice President Logistics UK & Ireland, DFDS said, “We’re proud to be deploying electric trucks in the UK, with our first vehicle through ZENFreight now operating on behalf of a key partner.
“Running on a closed circuit, the route is ideally suited for electric and marks a significant step in our decarbonisation journey.”
Angus Webb, Founder and CEO of Dynamon said, “This deployment is a crucial early step in showing that electric freight is not just viable, it’s happening now.
“Our goal is to build a nationwide data-driven model for eHGV deployment and charging infrastructure. DFDS’ Sandhills site is the first of many.”
