Eelectric HGV and charging solutions company, Voltloader, has joined the Electric Freightway consortium as part of the zero emission heavy goods vehicles and infrastructure demonstration (ZEHID) programme. Taking part in the capacity of a haulier, the company will provide its own charging capability.
Dave Rose, founder and chief executive of Voltloader, said: “The ZEHID initiative aligns perfectly with Voltloader’s mission to accelerate the rollout of clean and efficient transport solutions. The team is excited to join GRIDSERVE’s Electric Freightway programme and support the industry’s transition to sustainable transport. With the expansion of eHGV fleets on the horizon, Voltloader’s contribution will be instrumental in delivering combined charging and transport solutions that fuel the growth of electric logistics and transport.”
Unlike other members who might be less familiar with eHGVs and associated infrastructure, Voltloader has introduced an all-electric fleet and runs three electric tractor units. The company provides electric haulage services and supports its trucks by installing charging facilities at its own and customer sites. As Voltloader is already implementing eHGVs and the charging needed to optimise them, the company’s current insights are expected to be an asset to the consortium.
So far, Voltloader has established strategic charging across regional routes in East Anglia. Additional customer charging points are planned to allow the vehicles to work on longer routes. Its charging installations are designed to offer quick and powerful recharging to minimise downtime. By expanding its regional charging facilities, the company hopes to grow its haulage capacity across food and agricultural supply chains. The aim is to grow from transporting grain to a mill and moving flour from the mill to a bakery, to ultimately distributing bread to retailers.
With a view to covering many different aspects of the food and agricultural supply chain, Voltloader will have the opportunity to trial bulk tippers, tankers, refrigerated trailers, and curtainsiders with an electric 4x2 tractor unit.
