This week I’ve been at IAA Transportation in Hanover, the largest commercial vehicle trade show in Europe, where the world’s leading heavy and light vehicle manufacturers have made clear their commitment to ensuring logistics operators have every option to go zero emission. All OEMs either launched or showcased an upcoming battery electric model, from two-tonne vans all the way up to 44-tonne long haul trucks – while hydrogen models are also growing in number, with a variety of hydrogen HGVs launched at the previous event, and this year, four different LCV brands revealing fuel-cell models. Given some new brands entering the van market have strong electric car backgrounds, we can expect fresh innovation and for the market to be disrupted over the next two years.
Also making a prominent appearance this year were hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) trucks, which emit a relatively small amount of nitrous oxide compared with conventionally fuelled engines. There was, meanwhile, a large number of ICE trucks on exhibitor stands as, with Euro 7 regulations being introduced in 2027, this week’s event provided a good opportunity to showcase the latest innovations in CO2 reduction.
There is still a strong preference for ICE across the continent – and the same can be said in the UK with the end of sale date of all new, non-zero emission HGVs by 2040. There is ample opportunity for operators to adopt zero emission trucks to meet these net zero targets and industry is providing a wide range of choices for operators to do so. However, political support is crucial and SMMT continues to call for measures that will help fleets to transition – not least with a ‘next generation’ incentive and infrastructure plan. In particular, the current Plug-in Truck Grant and depot funding must keep up with the choice available on the market, where just two in five ZEV truck models are currently eligible.
There were two other key points on UK truck decarbonisation that were being discussed on exhibitor stands the show in Hanover, meanwhile. The first was infrastructure, particularly the need for charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure to be installed across the UK; and second was energy prices, which are restricting the costs that operators can save while driving zero emission. Vehicle manufacturers have spent billions on developing the vehicles, but with the UK’s ambitious net zero targets coming soon, we will increasingly need government to play its role to ensure a timely and steady transition.
