A 42-tonne electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) has been delivered to Welch’s Transport in Cambridgeshire, marking the first deployment in the UK government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme. The vehicle, a Renault Trucks E-Tech T 4x2, will operate from Welch’s Transport’s Duxford site for regional distribution and long-haul deliveries.
The deployment is part of the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium’s broader initiative, which plans to introduce 100 eHGV tractor units and 32 charging locations. The programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered with Innovate UK, aims to evaluate electric HGVs in real-world conditions.
The E-Tech T features six 90 kWh batteries and three electric motors, providing 490kW continuous power and 2400Nm torque. It uses Renault Trucks’ Optidriver AT 2412 12-speed automated gearbox and produces zero tailpipe emissions.
Chris Welch, Managing Director of The Welch Group, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be at the forefront of this landmark shift towards decarbonising road freight. The introduction of our first fully electric 42-tonne HGV is not just a step forward for the Group, but a crucial milestone for the industry.”
Welch’s Transport, a family-run haulier with 90 years of experience, currently operates a fleet of 80 vehicles and employs 160 staff. The company previously invested in a 19-tonne electric truck and installed the UK’s first publicly accessible 150kW supercharger at their Duxford site.
Michael Boxwell, Group CEO of Voltempo, which leads the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the first electric HGVs on the road with Welch’s Transport as part of the eFREIGHT 2030 project, which combines the operational and technical expertise necessary to decarbonise road freight transport from the largest fleets to SMEs.”
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood added: “Our roads are undergoing a technological revolution, and I’m delighted that e-FREIGHT 2030, Renault Trucks and Welch’s Transport are coming along on the journey.”
The project represents a collaboration between industry and government to advance zero-emission transport. Carlos Rodrigues, Managing Director of Renault Trucks UK & Ireland, noted that over 100 Renault Trucks battery electric vehicles are already operating in the UK, with dealer network support in place for the transition.
