Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, has launched the pathway document at a keynote address at the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference, outlining what the taskforce sees as the four key challenges posed by a move to zero emission trucks, and also how to address these:

  • energy infrastructure
  • financial models
  • confidence in technological and commercial change
  • workforce skills

The Zero Emission Truck Taskforce first met in May 2022 and, along with SSEN Distribution, its members include representatives from a range of industry and stakeholders, including haulage, logistics, truck manufacturing, government, councillors and commercial financiers.

Shirley Robertson, SSEN Distribution’s Head of Strategic Planning and Sustainability, said: 
“Being part of the Zero Emission Truck Taskforce is not only something we’re incredibly proud of, it’s also something where we believe our voice and experience can make a real difference.

“As the Distribution Network Operator for the North of Scotland, our underground cables, overhead lines and substations are central to supporting and enabling the transition to net zero. One of the key components of this transition is the decarbonisation of transport, and we’re delighted to have been part of the team working collaboratively to shape this HGV Decarbonisation Pathway.

“A crucial part of our own investment strategies going forward is the ability to accurately forecast future load and demands on our network, and so sitting at the same table as the very people who are leading the transition to net zero truck fleets has been invaluable.”
Speaking earlier today, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said:
“It’s a great pleasure to launch the HGV Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland and to do so at this event reflects the extraordinary collaborative nature of this work.

“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.

“My thanks go to every member of the Zero Emission Truck Taskforce for their time and expertise developing and, going forward, delivering the pathway. No single sector or organisation can decarbonise without building new relationships across boundaries and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve – and inspire other sectors to achieve.”  

Background

The Taskforce studied detailed background papers, including on the developing business models which draw in private investment and enable operators to avoid high initial investment costs, building a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities across each of the sectors involved. These papers are available online.

Working groups involving both Taskforce members and a wider range of interested parties then developed a small number of strategic actions addressing the challenges.

The result is an HGV Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland which sets out the key challenges to HGV decarbonisation in Scotland and the actions that each stakeholder (including Scottish Government) will take to address these over the next three years. At that point sufficient progress will have been made and evidence gathered to re-convene and co-design the final set of actions required to complete the transition.