The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) and other senior leaders from Scotland’s HGV industry have developed a suite of actions to help the sector transition to net zero.
The HGV Decarbonisation Pathway is the result of 18 months’ work by the Zero Emission Truck Taskforce. SWA has been a member of the taskforce, chaired by Transport Scotland, along with organisations from the haulage and logistics sector; energy sector (both hydrogen and electricity); truck manufacturing; government; unions; and commercial financiers.
The pathway sets out the four key challenges posed by a move to zero emission trucks – energy infrastructure, financial models, confidence in technological and commercial change, and workforce skills – and how to address these.
The SWA has ambitious plans to reach net zero by 2040, aligning with the UK target for the sector, and in time for Scotland’s net-zero target of 2045.
Colin Smith, SWA Chief Executive, said: “It is clear to us that it is imperative to address logistics emissions to reach net zero, and that investment in infrastructure – plus confidence through help and advice to businesses – is needed to overcome the significant costs of installation of equipment and acquiring of zero-emission HGVs
“The Pathway is an important step in industry working with the Scottish government, its agencies and the technology developers, to identify and address what is required ensure a Just Transition, and to keep businesses on track to meet Scotland’s net zero ambitions.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop launched the pathway during a keynote address to the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference in Edinburgh.
She said: “This partnership with road haulage, manufacturing, energy, government, union and commercial finance sectors is absolutely key to accelerating the transition towards zero emission trucks.
“Scotland’s economy – and society as a whole – rely on goods being moved with speed and efficiency, but these freight movements emit substantial greenhouse gases. We have worked collectively to understand and address the hurdles to transition.”
