Transport firm trials electric truck to help reduce Scope 3 emissions

AV Dawson Transport has undertaken a pilot of a fully electric heavy goods vehicle (HGV) as part of its net zero plans.

Working in partnership with electric fleet solutions provider Vev, as part of its managed trial service the Middlesbrough-based haulage business put the 42-tonne, fully electric HGV to the test across a variety of routes to its customers’ sites.

The truck completed more than 1,800 miles over 42 journeys, delivering a reduction in emissions of 2.3 tonnes from a single vehicle in just 10 days.

Paul Scott, head of operations at AV Dawson Transport, said: “This is an exciting time for us at AV Dawson Transport.

“To be one of the few businesses in the UK to trial this fully electric truck is something we are hugely proud of.”

While the decision to invest in electric HGVs can have a direct impact in reducing AV Dawson Transport’s carbon emissions, it can also provide huge benefits for the company’s customers, as it enables them to reduce their Scope 3 carbon emissions, says Vev. 

Scope 3 carbon emissions refer to indirect greenhouse gases released within a company's wider supply chain, rather than those directly emitted by the company itself. This includes emissions from suppliers like AV Dawson Transport.

Scott continued: “We realise that as a haulage business, we have a considerable challenge ahead when it comes to our net zero journey and have explored a number of alternative fuel solutions over the last 12 months, including compressed natural gas (CNG).

“The team and I know we need to get ahead of the curve and need to think innovatively in terms of how we can tackle this issue and work closely with our customers on how we can do this effectively for both parties.”

He explained: “We’re part of large, complex, international supply chains for a number of major manufacturers and processes, so it’s always been really important to work closely with our customers to help ensure their logistics are as efficient as possible.

“More recently there has been a real focus on how we can enable our customers to reduce their Scope 3 emissions, which will in turn, reduce their carbon footprints. This trial is a great example of how we’re working together to do exactly that.

“If we make the switch to alternative fuel lorries, we can reduce our carbon emissions for AV Dawson Transport by over 90%, so it's something we are seriously considering, as it will support both our own environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and also those of our customers.”

Some 40% of transport emissions in the North East can be attributed to HGVs supplying the region’s major industries including steel and automotive manufacturers.

One of the customers which had goods transported by the trial vehicle was British Steel, which transports thousands of tonnes of steel sections from its northern mills via AV Dawson Transport each year.

Gregg Smith, external logistics director for British Steel, said: “We have worked with AV Dawson Transport for many years to transport steel from our manufacturing sites to our customers around the country.

“Sustainability and reducing emissions are high on our agenda when selecting logistics partners so we’re delighted to have played a small part in this successful electric vehicle trial.”

AV Dawson Transport is part of AV Dawson Group, which owns several subsidiaries including the Port of Middlesbrough.

Jon Booth, head of sustainability at AV Dawson, said: “As an environmentally conscious business operating in the logistics and port sector, we have a responsibility to look at how we can reduce our carbon footprint.

“As part of our ESG strategy, we must consider all sources of emissions and identify where we can reduce them.

“We quickly realised that our direct emissions are our customers’ Scope 3 emissions and therefore we had the opportunity to help our customers achieve their net zero goals.

“Our road haulage fleet represents over 80% of our group’s direct carbon emissions, so it’s very important to focus our efforts on this challenge.

“The electric HGV trial has been an important step forward in this and the results look promising.”

Vev is working to accelerate the transition to electric transport for commercial fleets through the provision of an end-to-end solution that brings together electric vehicles (EVs) and charging with energy infrastructure and supply.

As part of this, the company is working to deliver real-world trials and consultancy support in a managed trial service for organisations embarking on their fleet electrification journey.

Charlie Mortimer-Bell, propositions lead at Vev, said: “Whether we’re moving people, products or waste, we believe in a future for fleets that is cleaner, more comfortable and, above all, cost competitive against their diesel predecessors.

“This trial has proven all these things and is a great example of forward-thinking from AV Dawson Transport as the UK logistics industry continues on its journey to net zero.”