Battery electric (BEV)
- Ready for: distribution, shuttle haulage, plannable long-haul routes up to ~450 km/day with depot charging.
- Energy: ~110–120 kWh/100 km at 40–44 t · depot 22–26p/kWh · public ~40p.
- Limits: 1.5–2 t less payload (2 t extra weight allowance for zero-emission HGVs), winter −20 %, public MCS barely available, residual value unknown, check for an HV workshop in range before ordering.
- Support: Zero Emission Truck Grant up to £81k, Depot Charging Scheme 70 %, HGV levy exemption, full expensing.
Hydrogen (FCEV / H₂ combustion engine)
- Ready for: long-haul from 600 km/day without return to depot, heavy haulage – but only with a refuelling point on the route.
- Energy: ~8–9 kg/100 km at 40 t. Public HGV hydrogen in the UK is limited to a handful of stations; the HyHAUL demonstrator (ZEHID) supplies the M4 corridor. Prices well above diesel-equivalent without a supply contract (estimate £10–14/kg).
- Vehicles: Mercedes NextGenH2 (liquid H₂, over 1,000 km, small series of 100 units from late 2026), MAN hTGX (H₂ combustion engine, ~600 km), Hyundai Xcient FC (~400 km), Iveco S-eWay FC. Prices estimated at £340–520k, mostly leased.
- Limits: no network, price above diesel, small series, residual value unclear. The Zero Emission Truck Grant applies to hydrogen trucks too – it does not solve the refuelling problem.
E-trailers / electric trailers
- Ready for: existing fleets with diesel tractor units (interim step) and e-trucks in long-haul (range boost).
- Technology: Krone eTrailer / Trailer Dynamics: e-axle, 300/450/600 kWh, self-contained via kingpin sensors, works with any tractor unit. Refrigerated trailers: the e-axle powers the fridge unit instead of a diesel engine (2–4 l/h).
- Effect: behind diesel −40 % fuel on average (DB Schenker 24–55 %, BMW Logistics 48 %); behind a BEV +300–500 km.
- The maths: estimated premium of £80–120k over a standard trailer; not covered by the truck grant. Pays off from ~100,000 km/year if the trailer stays permanently coupled to the same tractor.
- Limits: the trailer must charge overnight, weight +1.5–2 t, trailer pooling difficult; UK type approval per model to be checked.
Technology comparison
Diesel, diesel + e-trailer, e-truck, e-truck + e-trailer and hydrogen on the standard profile as cost per kilometre over the holding period – including purchase, grants and residual value. Enter your own values in the TCO calculator.
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