Menzies Distribution Solutions (MDS) has introduced the first battery-electric trucks to join its fleet, with three new 42-tonne Scania tractor units entering live operation through the eFREIGHT 2030 programme.
The vehicles are the first of 10 electric HGVs that MDS will deploy through the UK government funded Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure demonstrator (ZEHID) programme and represent a significant milestone in the company's wider fleet decarbonisation strategy.
The logistics and supply chain specialist has previously trialled battery-electric vehicles and already operates trucks using alternative fuels, but the new Scanias are the first fully electric HGVs to become a permanent part of its fleet.
Says Adam Purshall, Fleet, Program and Systems Director at MDS:
"This is the next significant step in our decarbonisation strategy. We have been exploring alternative fuels such as Bio-CNG and HVO for some time, but these are the first battery-electric vehicles to join our fleet and represent our first major move towards electrification.
"We have been actively involved in eFREIGHT 2030 since joining the consortium around two years ago and seeing our first vehicles enter live operation is an important milestone. It enables us to build on the work already undertaken through the project by gathering real-world operational data and driver feedback that will help shape our future fleet decisions."
Electric Scanias take on double-shift operation
The three Scania 4x2 45S high-roof battery-electric tractor units, which combine Scania's S-series sleeper cab with a 450kW electric powertrain, are operating from MDS's multi-user distribution centre in Wakefield, supporting retail and FMCG customers on local and regional delivery work.
They are initially being deployed on operations involving predominantly packaging and other relatively lightweight loads. The vehicles will be double-shifted across day and night operations and returned to base to recharge between shifts, with MDS investing in on-site infrastructure offering 1MW megawatt-charging capability. The trucks are expected to cover around 250 miles per shift and will be charged twice within each 24-hour operating cycle to maximise utilisation.
As eFREIGHT 2030 project lead and charging infrastructure partner, Voltempo has supported MDS throughout the planning and implementation of its charging infrastructure.
Says Purshall:
"Voltempo has helped us navigate a complex process, bringing specialist expertise around the technical requirements, grid connection and engagement with the Distribution Network Operator. Its team has been knowledgeable, responsive and collaborative throughout."
Purshall added:
"The new trucks will initially support local and regional deliveries from Wakefield, but over time we plan to move them between operations, assess a range of use cases and understand how far we can push the technology in live operations."
Multi-marque trial to inform future fleet strategy
The Scanias form part of a broader 10-vehicle electric HGV deployment planned by MDS through eFREIGHT 2030. The business has selected vehicles from Scania, DAF and Renault Trucks, enabling it to compare different vehicle technologies, operating characteristics and support models.
Says Purshall:
"Our decision to take vehicles from three manufacturers was very deliberate. We want to understand how they perform across different routes and duty cycles and generate the operational evidence needed to make informed decisions about future orders and the role battery-electric trucks can play within our fleet."
He added that the government funding available through eFREIGHT 2030 had been "an important catalyst", enabling the business to move forward with electric HGVs within a supported environment.
Says Purshall:
"The funding has allowed us to make decisions that we might not otherwise have made at this stage."
Telematics data from the vehicles will provide insights into mileage, duty cycles and energy use and will be shared with eFREIGHT 2030 and ZEHID technical evaluator, WSP. The anonymised findings will be aggregated with data from other consortium operators to build a wider evidence base around the performance of electric HGVs in live UK logistics operations.
Scania expertise supports operational rollout
Scania worked with MDS from the outset to ensure the new electric trucks were specified and deployed around the operator's requirements, including route suitability, shift patterns, driver training and aftersales support.
Says Nick Clarke, Direct Sales Manager at Scania UK:
"It has been a pleasure collaborating with the team at MDS throughout this project, and we're proud to support them as they continue to adopt sustainable transport solutions from Scania.
"There has been an immense amount of work taking place behind the scenes to make partnerships like this successful for everyone involved, and I'm excited to see how these new vehicles perform as they become an integral part of the wider MDS fleet."
Following a thorough vehicle handover and driver familiarisation from Scania, MDS assigned a dedicated group of drivers to the trucks.
Says Purshall:
"The drivers have been really positive, engaged and keen to understand the technology. They want to be part of the transition and share that experience with their colleagues."
Building the case for further electrification
MDS will use the operational data generated by its eFREIGHT 2030 vehicles to inform its longer-term carbon-reduction strategy and identify where electric HGVs can be deployed commercially across its fleet.
Says Purshall:
"Success for us means generating enough evidence to make the right business decisions and support further investment in battery-electric vehicles.
"This project is an important part of building a credible fleet decarbonisation roadmap. As the technology and infrastructure develop, the data we gather will help us understand exactly where electric trucks can work for our business."
Led by Voltempo, eFREIGHT 2030 is one of three projects supported through the UK Government's Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
Says Simon Smith, CEO of Voltempo:
"MDS's first battery-electric HGV deployment is an important milestone for the business and for eFREIGHT 2030. Operating these trucks intensively across day-to-day transport operations will generate valuable evidence about where electric HGVs can work most effectively.
"By testing vehicles from three manufacturers, MDS will also provide important comparative insights that can support future fleet investment and help accelerate the wider transition to zero-emission road freight."
Says Dr Isabella Panovic, Programme Manager, Innovate UK:
"Menzies Distribution Solutions has been a valued and proactive partner within the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, helping to drive forward the transition to zero-emission road freight. The deployment of its first battery-electric HGVs into live commercial operation marks an important milestone, not only for the business's decarbonisation journey, but for the wider ZEHID programme.
"As these vehicles begin operating in real-world logistics environments, they will generate vital operational insights that help build the evidence base needed to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission HGVs across the UK. Together with Menzies' three ZEHID-supported depot sites coming online this year, this deployment highlights the scale of ambition and collaboration required to deliver a cleaner, more sustainable freight sector."
The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium is introducing 88 electric HGVs and establishing charging infrastructure across 36 sites, including 25 megawatt-scale charging hubs, as part of a multi-year real-world evaluation of zero-emission road freight.
