Glasgow-based multimodal operator John G Russell (Transport) will run battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell powered trucks as it joins the ZenFreight consortium, writes Peter Brown.
It will run three MAN battery electric HGVs and three hydrogen-electric Scania HFCEVs, which in a 6×2 configuration and will be the first of their kind to be trialled in the UK.
ZenFreight is part of the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme led by Dynamon working alongside Gregory Group, DFDS, Imperial College London, and truck manufacturers DAF, Daimler, Scania and Volvo.
John G Russell (Transport) will install a hydrogen storage and filling solution at their depot in Coatbridge, near Glasgow, and share the depot charging infrastructure for both alternative fuel types during the demonstration.
Director Graham Russell said: “It has taken a great effort by our team lead by group fleet engineer Stephen Madden to put us in the position where we are now proud to be announced as having joined ZenFreight and build on the great work already undertaken by our consortium colleagues.
“The ZEHID demonstration project is a major step forward, allowing us to trial both electric and hydrogen technologies for heavy duty transport in real world operation, an exciting opportunity to build confidence in the future of zero emission freight, and we are delighted to be at the forefront, and play our part in driving the transition to cleaner, greener logistics.”
