First eHGV is sent through the Channel Tunnel

The first electric heavy goods vehicle has travelled through the Channel Tunnel in what is an achievement for low-carbon logistics: Kuehne+Nagel, LeShuttle Freight, Voltempo and DAF Trucks all worked together on the project to prove that trade passing between the UK and continental Europe could be done in a more sustainable way.

The Channel Tunnel is a vital European trade corridor, carrying a quarter of all goods traded in value between the UK and Europe, with over one million trucks crossing each year.

The journey for the eHGV, a DAF New Generation XF, began at Kuehne+Nagel’s East Midlands Gateway depot where it was loaded with 12 tonnes of freight before being charged with Voltempo’s HyperCharger. According to DAF, the vehicle provides range of up to 500km on a single charge and supports DC charging up to 325kW.

The 7,600km round trip to Kuehne+Nagel’s other depot in Haiger saw the two-person crew top up at public charging hubs operated by Gridserve in the UK and Milence in France and Belgium – highlighting that infrastructure is slowly but surely expanding to support electric HGVs.

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather said: “We’re backing British business by cutting up to £120,000 off the cost of new electric trucks and investing £120 million to rollout zero‑emission lorries and the charging infrastructure needed to support them, boosting growth and UK manufacturing, and supporting jobs.

“Our support has seen companies like Kuehne+Nagel get clean delivery trucks on the road and helped fund the launch of the first electric lorry through the Channel Tunnel, showcasing the massive trading and economic opportunities that can be delivered through green freight.”

Ben Fletcher, Chief Executive at Logistics UK said: “By running an electric HGV from the key logistics hub at East Midlands Gateway, through the Channel Tunnel and on into continental Europe, this group has demonstrated that range anxiety will soon be a thing of the past for eHGVs.

“The Short Straits crossing is a critical route for the UK economy and this landmark journey, of 1,700km across five countries, shows how eHGVs can be deployed on the UK’s key supply routes without sacrificing service levels or operational viability.”