The Electric HGV / Lorry Guide 2024 | Electric Car Guide (2024)

Whether you are a fleet manager or an owner-operator truck driver, this guide will bring you up to speed in the world of electric HGVs.

We delve into the technical advancements that have made electric HGVs a viable option today, including improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and vehicle design. Additionally, we address the challenges and limitations currently faced by the electric HGV sector. Range limitations, charging time, and the initial investment in electric vehicle infrastructure are among the key concerns.

Yes, there are already plenty of electric lorries on the roads in the UK, and several manufacturers have announced plans to introduce electric HGVs to the market. Electric truck manufacturers currently operating in the UK include Magtec, Renault Trucks, DAF and Mercedes-Benz.

In January 2023 Tevva announced they will commence the mass production of electric lorries in East Tilbury, Essex. Giving Tevva a platform to sell within the UK and throughout Europe.

MORE> Making The Switch to Electric HGVs

How far an electric HGV can travel on a single charge will vary depending on the size of the battery, the weight of the load that is being transported and how the truck is driven. Tesla’s Semi truck, an all-electric HGV, is expected to have a range of up to 500 miles on a full charge! However, these are yet to be launched in the UK.

Let’s take a look at the maximum range of electric lorries currently available in the UK:

The DAF XF has the longest range of 500 km per charge, beneficial for longer delivery routes or multi-drops.

The Renault Trucks D.Z.E is not far behind, with an impressive range of 300 km, offering a great balance between range and performance. The Renault Trucks D Wide Z.E has a modest range of 120 km, making it more suited to short urban routes or last-mile deliveries. The DAF CF and LF models, along with the Tevva 12-tonne, are closer to the middle of the pack with ranges of 220 km, which should provide enough range for a typical short-haul journey.

The top speeds of an electric truck will vary depending on the power of a battery and the load of the HGV. Most electric HGVs are designed more with a focus on torque, cargo capacity, and efficiency rather than high top speeds, as these vehicles are typically used for cargo transport over both short and long distances.

Here are the top speeds for electric HGVs in the UK:

Looking at the top speeds, the Renault Trucks D.Z.E stands out, boasting a top speed of 75 mph.

The Renault Trucks D Wide Z.E, the DAF series (CF, XF, and LF), and the Electric Mercedes-Benz eActros all have similar top speeds in the low 50s mph. The two Tevva models also hit the 50 mph mark, which is quite standard for urban and regional delivery trucks and is adequate for most HGV journies.

The initial cost of electric HGVs is usually higher than their diesel counterparts. However, the total cost of ownership over the vehicle’s lifetime can be lower for electric HGVs due to savings in fuel costs, reduced maintenance costs, and possible government incentives or grants.

Pricing for newer electric HGVs is often not publicly disclosed and is instead discussed directly between dealers and buyers. We have compiled a list of approximate prices based on the cost of an equivalent brand-new diesel HGV, with an expected markup for EV technology:

The Renault Trucks D Wide Z.E, is priced at approximately £180,000, despite its relatively low range of 120 Km.

The DAF CF and LF models, priced at approximately £200,000 and £170,000 respectively, both have a top speed of 53 mph.
The CF offers a range of 220 Km, while the LF matches this range, making these models a solid middle ground in terms of cost, speed, and range balance.

The cost of an electric HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) can be significantly higher than a comparable diesel HGV. It’s not uncommon for an electric HGV to cost up to twice as much as its diesel counterpart for the initial purchase. So, if a typical diesel HGV might cost in the range of £80,000 – £100,000, an electric HGV could potentially have an upfront cost of £160,000 – £200,000 or even more.

However, while the upfront costs of electric HGVs can be considerably higher, it’s essential to consider the total cost of ownership over the vehicle’s operational lifespan. Electric vehicles often have lower running costs than diesel vehicles due to cheaper ‘fuel’ costs (electricity vs diesel), less frequent maintenance needs, and potential tax advantages.

The electric truck market in the UK is still evolving and is it difficult to identify a stand-out ‘biggest’ electric truck company in the UK.

When you look at diesel and electric combined though, DAF trucks are the biggest truck company based on market share. According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), DAF Trucks had a market share of 28.5% in 2021, selling 7,286 trucks, while Volvo Trucks had a market share of 20.7%, selling 5,303 trucks.

The UK government offers several incentives to promote the use of Electric HGVs.

The Plug-in Van Grant (PIVG) is available for both electric vans and electric HGVs. A discount of £25,000 is available for eligible vehicles. To qualify for a grant an electric HGV must be heavier than 12,000kg and have an electric-only range of at least 96km.

Unlike other OZEV grants, there is no need to make an application for a Plug-in Van Grant, the discount will be provided by the electric HGV dealer at the time of purchase. If the electric HGV you are buying is eligible, the dealer will include the value of the grant in the vehicle’s price.

This simplified process makes it more straightforward for businesses to make use of the grant when purchasing an electric HGV, without the need for complex application forms.

So, while it is possible to charge electric HGVs in the UK, there can be logistical challenges to consider. The situation is likely to improve over time as the electric vehicle infrastructure continues to develop.

The main alternative to consider is re-fuelling in your private depot: A report by the national grid suggests that “70-90% of HGVs will be charged or re-fuelled overnight in their depot or at their destinations”. The remaining 10-30% are still relying on traditional petrol stations and public charge stations to catch up with the demand for electric HGV charging.

It is theoretically possible to convert a petrol or diesel vehicle to electric, but it is a really complex process that may end up costing a considerable amount of money. You will basically need to remove the entire engine and replace it with an electric motor, battery, power controller and various other complex components.

There are a few factors to consider:

Governments around the world are setting ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the measures include banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, in the UK the deadline for the ban on traditional fuel HGVs is 2040, so yes – electric trucks will eventually replace diesel trucks!

The replacement of diesel HGVs with electric HGVs will likely be a gradual process as companies take time to switch to electric. That being said, the transition to electric HGVs is already well underway in many UK sectors. Electric HGVs are a viable, cost-effective alternative to diesel provided the UK charging infrastructure is able to catch up with the demand.

In addition to the existing HGV manufacturers, many exciting new companies such as Arrival and Volta Trucks are starting to work on new electric lorry designs for the UK market.

While the upfront costs are notably higher than diesel HGVs, electric HGVs provide plenty of long-term benefits such as reduced fuel and maintenance costs and tax benefits such as salary sacrifice schemes.