![Mercedes-Benz_eActros_600_(1)[1]](https://d2cohhpa0jt4tw.cloudfront.net/Pictures/274x183/8/1/8/17818_mercedesbenz_eactros_600_11_556244.jpg)
A research project looking at the commercial viability of electric trucks has empowered DP World to consider permanently electrifying one of its regular routes between Swindon and Oxford.
The company is taking part in Project Jolt, driven by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and comprising 15 anticipated fleet operators, four OEMs, a charge point operator and three enablers.
It has now completed three months of the initiative, where trucks completed 170 runs totalling 24,000km and DP World said it was “delighted” with their performance.
During this time, it trialled the Scania G230E truck and the Mercedes e-Actros 300, which was upgraded to the e-Actros 600 in the final three weeks.
DP World added that although the cost of electric HGVs was still high, the likely cost of electricity would create a favourable total cost of ownership compared to diesel – with the added benefit of the huge environmental gains.
Dave Munday, transport operations manager at DP World, said: “Project Jolt has provided us with the intelligence, knowledge and confidence in our 12-week trial to be comfortable in operating an electric fleet.”
Professor David Cebon at the University of Cambridge and project director for Project Jolt, said: “Our research on battery performance is crucial to the ultimate findings on electrification and will help determine the residual value of electric trucks.”
