Firm joins electric truck trial | Investigates using weir to charge vehicles

IJ McGill Transport is the latest operator to join the eFreight 2030 consortium, adding three Daf electric vehicles (EVs) to its existing fleet.

The eFreight 2030 project, which is part of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, is introducing 100 electric HGV tractor units and 32 new charging locations over a multi-year real world evaluation.

As part of eFreight 2030, IJ McGill Transport will add the three Daf electric trucks to its existing fleet of approximately 130 vehicles which includes a mix of 40-tonne and 44-tonne tractor units, rigid trucks (ranging from 7.5 tonne to 18 tonne), 3.5 tonne vans, and a variety of trailers, including straight frame, double-deck, and urban configurations.

The family-run small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) will also install charging infrastructure at three of its five depots, including a Voltempo UK manufactured megawatt HyperCharger at its Bristol site and 240-kilowatt chargers at its Tavistock and West Bromwich locations.

Heather Brown, operations director at IJ McGill Transport, explained: “Our charging strategy will primarily focus on depot-based charging, utilising the downtime between routes.

“The megawatt HyperCharger at our Bristol site will be able to charge a vehicle in approximately an hour, while our 240-kilowatt chargers will take around 90 minutes.

“We’ll be charging vehicles during two key windows – early morning when trucks return from overnight trunking operations between 3-4am, and again in the early evening between 5-7pm before they go out for night work.”

The new electric vehicles, which are being purchased through IJ McGill Transport’s local dealer, Motus Commercials DAF Avonmouth, will be used for both daytime distribution and overnight trunk routes. This will maximise vehicle utilisation while taking advantage of charging opportunities during vehicle downtime.

Benefits of the consortium

Joining the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium provides significant benefits for IJ McGill Transport as they begin their electric vehicle journey.

Brown explained: “Joining the eFreight 2030 consortium represents an exciting step in our sustainability journey.

“As a family business that's always looked towards the future, introducing electric vehicles allows us to reduce our environmental impact while future-proofing our operations.

“The consortium's financial support and shared learning opportunities make this transition more accessible for a company of our size.”

As part of the consortium, IJ McGill Transport will benefit from the shared knowledge and experience of other consortium members who are already operating electric HGVs, while contributing valuable operational data from an SME, back to the programme over the five-year project period to help shape the future of zero-emission freight transport in the UK.

Kelly Pope, HR and sales director at IJ McGill Transport, said: “Sustainability has always been important to our business.

“From route optimisation and maximising vehicle utilisation to installing solar panels on our warehousing facilities, we’ve consistently sought ways to reduce our environmental footprint.

“Now, with increasing zero-emission zones in cities across the UK, this partnership enables us to offer our customers more sustainable transport solutions while sharing knowledge with other consortium members.”

Hydroelectric power scheme to charge trucks

Looking ahead, IJ McGill Transport is exploring the potential for a hydroelectric power scheme using an existing weir at the former paper-mill site that is now the company’s main depot in Keynsham, Bristol.

Feasibility studies are underway, and the company is in discussions with local environmental agencies to assess the viability of generating renewable energy on-site.

If successful, it could eventually generate enough electricity to power the company’s entire fleet as it gradually transitions to all-electric vehicles in the future.

Michael Boxwell, group chief executive Officer at Voltempo which leads the eFreight 2030 consortium, said: “As a long-established family business with deep roots in the transport industry, IJ McGill brings valuable experience and a genuine commitment to sustainability that aligns perfectly with our mission.

“Their forward-thinking approach to green initiatives, from solar panels to exploring hydroelectric power at their historic Bristol site, demonstrates the kind of pioneering spirit we need in this transition.

“What particularly impresses me is their willingness to embrace new technologies and be among the first to trial innovations – a quality that will be invaluable as we work together to transform the UK's HGV sector and create a more sustainable future for road freight.”