HGV decarbonisation is a considerable challenge for freight and transport industries. The Department for Transport set a deadline to end the sale of all new non-zero emission HGVs by 2040 or earlier, in their 'Decarbonising Transport' plan. In trying to implement this goal there have been many discussions over the best power source to use for zero emission HGVs - battery, hydrogen or electric roads? When considering the best option, we must also look at what is being developed in mainland Europe in order to maintain global operations. If we have a different operating system to them it will make logistical operations extremely difficult. 

Costain and Siemens were part of a feasibility study on Electric Road Systems  which shows them to be the fastest and most efficient way to decarbonise the UK's freight sector. 

In this podcast we discuss all these issues and what needs to be done to take the positive results of the feasibility study forward.

Listen here

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Quotes From the Podcast 

• "We are at the point where the 2040 date will almost certainly be missed [due to] a couple of key factors: the time taken to deliver the infrastructure required for any potential technology solution and the time for the logistics to change their fleet to match the desired technology."
• "We already have electrification skills on the railway - fundamentally you're putting an overhead line up, whether it's on the side of the motorway or whether it's on a railway... The ability to have skills that can work in either sector maximises the opportunity."
• "The challenge we have for electric roads, compared to other solutions, is it's different as far as you're putting another asset on the side of the motorway - you're looking over a larger stretch [of area]... For electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cells you're looking at the vehicle and not necessarily the infrastructure. This is a new opportunity and a new way of doing something, and so getting that infrastructure right takes time for [government] to understand how to really do it." 

Podcast Guests 

Justin Moss

Having over 30 years’ experience of rail, electrification, mechanical and electrical projects, with over 20 of these entirely dedicated to the transport industry. Justin has a proven ability to build and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with the business leaders to provide strategic growth. He is a proven leader within a highly competitive construction and rail industry. He has worked with Siemens since 2011 and is part of the leadership team in Siemens Mobility Limited Rail Electrification. Justin also represents the North of England as Chair RIA North, representing over 140 businesses, this role requires the ability to inspire industry to support the Northern rail industry and he is passionate about the strategy to provide the transformational change in the region.

Andy has significant experience in leading the development and delivery of large scale, reputationally sensitive, high value infrastructure projects and programmes. His experience spans client, contractor, designer and technology provider roles across the transportation sector (mainly highways). Andy’s employment has included:

• National Highways Major Projects Executive – Programme Director
• Heathrow Airport Limited – Expansion Programme (Surface Access)
• Alstom UK – Delivery Director

He has been the Senior Responsible Owner on over forty major transport infrastructure projects.

Andy Watson