Jadzia Samuelin Folkestone
BBC
Safety procedures are now in place to allow eHGVs to use the Channel Tunnel
The first electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) has crossed the English Channel on a LeShuttle freight train.
It is part of a government and industry-wide bid to reduce haulage greenhouse gas emissions.
eHGVs can already travel to France via ferry, but the Channel Tunnel requires specific safety protocols for large electric vehicles.
This process has now been finalised, and eHGV travel will be rolled out commercially later this year.
Peter Roberts, LeShuttle Freight commercial strategy director, admitted that eHGVs still make up a small proportion of the market.
He said the demand is growing, and he expects “50,000 truck crossings to be electrified in five years’ time”.
“It’s really important for logistics as we grow our decarbonising strategies as an industry,” he said.
About 25% of the UK’s trade with the EU travels through the Channel Tunnel each year.
In 2025, 109 million vehicles used LeShuttle.
Kate Broome, sustainability and social impact director for logistics company Kuehne+Nagel, said it marks the first UK-EU “electric corridor” for freight transport.
The eHGV began its journey in the East Midlands, ending in northen Germany and carrying 18 tonnes of cargo.
The vehicle can be driven up to 300 miles on one charge.
“At the moment we only charge overnight, so these are currently doing day-runs, the same as diesel,” said driver Adrian Szewczyk.
“You just have to plan accordingly.”
LeShuttle spent a year preparing for eHGV travel
Phil Moon, from truck manufacturers, DAF, said the challenge now is making eHGVs appealing to the industry.
“Typically electric trucks will cost more to buy than diesel,” he said.
“But over a long lifetime, say a five year period, you actually reduce your cost of operating.”
At the start of this year, the government announced plans to discount eHGVs by up to £120,000.