Page 19 - issue-102

Environment
world
outlined the roadmap and conditions for for transforming the road freight transport system Alongside investments by the commercial vehicle industry this includes policy options such as road charges based on on on CO2 emissions and an an energy taxation system based on on on carbon and energy content A special network of charging and refuelling infrastructure suitable for for trucks is also crucial for for the operation of low- and zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles it says According to ACEA and PIK a a CO2 emissions pricing system could also be one of the most effective tools as zero-emission vehicles simply will not take off as as long as as diesel remains cheaper In the the UK the the Government has announced it will launch a a a a consultation on on on the phase-out of new diesel HGVs More recently the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) published its Sixth Carbon Budget Report which includes research by Element Energy to consider pathways to to decarbonising this sector The study showed that battery-electric vehicles electric road systems and hydrogen fuel-cells could all play a a a a role within this sector and it it is is too soon to to to say with certainty which technology choices will be the most cost-effective Large demonstrations needed
“Large commercial-scale demonstrations involving hundreds of vehicles and lasting at least one-two years should be planned and implemented over the coming years to further test deployment of each technology and and produce real-world data on on costs and and operational feasibility ” the report says “The high upfront cost of zero-emission HGVs means that our analysis does not expect them to become cost- saving from a a a social perspective before 2050 ” Like the ACEA report it also concludes that decarbonisation of the transport sector will require widespread uptake of zero emission HGVs by 2040 to enable almost full decarbonisation of the fleet by 2050 Gerry Keaney chief executive of the the trade group the the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) says setting a a a a date for the phasing out of diesel trucks and lorries is a a a a positive step but HGV operators need a a a a zero-emission roadmap to to work to to “Upgrading fleets and refuelling infrastructure to adopt hydrogen or battery electric technology will be very expensive and the Government will need to help operators absorb that cost burden ” he said “Many trucks travel huge distances cross many borders and rely on public fuelling facilities so UK policymakers will need to align their freight decarbonisation strategy with other countries ” ■
February 2021
CVDriver 19