DAF Trucks highlights challenges facing electric HGV growth

DAF Trucks has outlined some key challenges it believes must be tackled to stimulate the adoption of battery-electric trucks in the UK, warning that government intervention is critical for achieving zero-tailpipe-emission targets.

Speaking at the company’s end-of-year press briefing, Louis Jones (pictured), DAF Trucks’ EV and connected services director, stressed the importance of expanding the £200m Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme. While welcoming the initiative, he noted its limitations. “It’s confined to a finite number of operators,” he said, adding that broader support is needed to enable wider industry adoption.

Jones also called for a meaningful replacement for the Plug-in Truck Grant. While valuable, he explained, accessing the grant can be a complex process. Jones further emphasised the need for widespread availability of truck-accessible chargers, transparent and competitive energy pricing, effective booking systems to avoid delays at charging points, and faster network connections to enable efficient depot charging.

While highlighting these six key points, Jones also touched on other potential factors that might help encourage electric truck adoption, such as a rise in fuel duty, road pricing, or the introduction of zero-emission zones. However, he stopped short of advocating for these measures.

DAF marketing manager Phil Moon reinforced the call for government support. “We need a vision of how government plans to move away from the current vehicle excise duty model and incentivise zero-emission vehicles,” he said. Moon added that without comprehensive reforms, including a focus on energy prices and infrastructure, achieving 2035 and 2040 goals will be a significant industry challenge.

Moon also addressed growing speculation about hydrogen as an alternative, positioning it as a niche solution rather than a rival to electric trucks. Highlighting its inefficiency, he said hydrogen fuel cells provide just 22% of the original energy for vehicle propulsion, compared with 70% for electric systems. “That’s why we’re focused on battery-electric as the first zero-emission solution,” he explained.

Jones and Moon agreed that enabling the transition to electric trucks requires urgent action. “If we as a society believe in zero emissions, we must ensure operating an electric vehicle is as commercially viable as a diesel one,” Moon concluded.