DP World Launches Electric Truck Trial In Further Push For Supply Chain Decarbonisation

DP World has expanded its Low Carbon Truck Programme with the launch of an Electric Vehicle Transition & Introduction Accelerator (EVITA) trial, offering additional support for container truck operators to move towards a fully electrified future.

Image: John Trenchard

Launched last September, the industry-first Low Carbon Truck Programme (LCTP) was positioned as a transitional step towards the eventual goal of electrification. 

Running into 2027, LCTP is proving successful in helping operators to access sustainable low-carbon fuel alternatives as part of moves to reduce emissions and, ultimately, decarbonise the logistics sector. 

Now that scheme is being extended in a “pragmatic approach” to support container truck operators to trial zero tailpipe emission vehicles for container work, according to John Trenchard, VP of Sustainable International Supply Chains at DP World Europe. 

Initial EVITA trials are now underway to test four electric HGVs, offering additional sustainable alternatives for the logistics sector. 

“Earlier this month we made another small but important step to support customers with lower carbon containerised supply chain solutions in the UK, by assigning two 42-tonne electric HGVs to local hauliers for container transport at Southampton,” Trenchard revealed on LinkedIn. 

Image: John Trenchard | L-R: John Trenchard and David Cebon

“In this initial EVITA trial, we have teamed up with the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (SRF) at University of Cambridge and their ‘JOLT’ programme, to test 4 trucks between January and June with members of the LCTP,” Trenchard added.

The EVITA trial sees DP World collaborate with local businesses to guide real-world application. 

“Natalie Noke, Director at SJG Haulage & Commercial workshop, and James Watts, Managing Director at Port Express Limited, took delivery of the first EVITA trial trucks at DP World Southampton, where our new driver welfare facilities and twin electric truck charging stations (with 360kWh capacity) support operators with the EV transition,” Trenchard explained. 

“These trucks are now at work with container trucking deliveries to and from Southampton.” 

JOTL team’s David Cebon, Director of Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Cambridge, said the focus on helping small fleets to decarbonise and finding practical solutions to their electrification problems is “critically important” to the energy transition for trucking. 

“Small (family run) businesses are the backbone of the industry and run most of the world's trucks,” Cebon pointed out. “They also do the most difficult logistics tasks, need flexible vehicles with large ranges and extensive charging infrastructure and of course, small companies have the least resources available to fund the transition. 

“DP World is one of very few large companies in logistics that are taking positive steps to help SMEs,” Cebon added. “This lines-up perfectly with the objectives of Project JOLT – so we are delighted to collaborate on this project.”

LCTP – A Transitional Step

Image: DP World

DP World manages over 4,000 trucks a day at its two UK ports – London Gateway and Southampton – and is actively seeking to offset carbon emissions.

Since 1 September, the company has provided the renewable diesel alternative Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) at no extra charge to UK heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet owners. DP World said HVO cuts emissions by up to 90% compared with fossil fuels. The group offers fleet operators a financial incentive to trial HVO while learning more about supply chain carbon reporting. 

The Low Carbon Truck Programme addresses the logistics sector’s heavy reliance on diesel with a cleaner alternative. 

Aimed at HGV operators using London Gateway and Southampton ports, the LCTP scheme combines discounted access to renewable fuel and carbon literacy training in a push to reduce transport emissions. 

On its launch, DP World estimated that more than 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be reduced each year if all its trucking partners take part, marking a transitional step towards a fully electrified future.