Electric vehicles are becoming a common sight in most countries around the world. And for a good reason, this trend is going to continue increasing. But the electrification of one segment of the market – the commercial vehicles, especially from medium to heavy vehicles was seen as very complicated and demanding. Despite all the hurdles, the electromobility options in CVs are increasing at a decent pace. Continue reading as we explore the electric trucks UK market and the best options that are available to buy.
The CV segment has vehicles that operate in an extremely diverse range of tasks, unlike the passenger car segment.
Moreover, many of these vehicles have operating cycles that require hundreds of kilometres of travel carrying heavy loads on a daily basis. There is not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution.
Hence, bringing electrification to CVs would require a lot of effort from both the governments and industries from around the world.
As we push the technological boundaries to address climate change, bringing more sustainable forms of transport, the cost of EVs has dropped significantly. Also, there are drastic improvements in their operating range, performance and reliability.
Here you can find a list of all the best battery-operated electric trucks that are available in the UK.
DAF Electric Truck Series
Dutch commercial vehicles manufacturer DAF is one of the leading companies bringing electromobility to the UK market. The company offers its CF and LF series of zero-emission trucks.
CF Series
The CF series has heavy-duty trucks in both tractors as well as rigid forms. A tractor with a GCW of up to 37-tonnes with its two axles is ideal for transportation of large supplies to supermarts.
On the other hand, the 3-axle rigid form comes with a steered trailing rear axle which is suitable for waste management or a distribution vehicle.
The rigid version has a maximum GVW of up to 29-tonnes. While the tractor has a weight of around 9000 kg and the weight of the chassis cab of the rigid version is 10160 kg.
Electric drive from VDL delivers the trucks of CF series a nominal power of 210 kW and a peak of 240 kW. Also, a torque of 2000 Nm is produced.
LFP batteries of 350 kWh capacity give the tractor a range of up to 220 km on a full charge, while the rigid version can go an additional 30 km.
Quick charging the batteries takes about 75 minutes with a 250 kW power. CF Series has 3 levels of regenerative braking allowing it to have a better driving range.
LF Series
The LF series is a light-duty version suitable for urban distribution besides other fixed tasks.
DAF LF Electric comes in a rigid form of 4×2 with a maximum GVW of 19-tonnes.
Further, its electric drive from Dana produces a nominal power of 260 kW to a maximum of 370 kW with a torque rating of 1970 Nm.
LFP batteries of 282 kWh allow the truck a driving range of up to 280 km on a single charge. Additionally, fast charging the batteries from zero to eighty percent with 150 kW takes around two hours.
Tevva Electric Truck
Tevva unveiled its 7.5-tonne pure electric BEV truck in September 2021. It is the first zero-emission truck from the company with a design to meet the varying demands of urban logistics.
To begin with, the truck can carry a payload of over two tonnes with a GVW of 7.5- tonnes and has a maximum GVW of up to 8-tonnes. Ample platform space of around 15.36 square meters (16 Euro pallets). Also, the chassis cab is fully flexible allowing conversions to a wide range of demands.
Tevva prefers LFP-type batteries which have excellent reliability and safety specifications. Charging the batteries from zero to full takes about 5- 6 hours.
A full charge gives it a driving range of around 250 km, depending on driving conditions. These trucks come with detailed telematics for monitoring various system operations.
Moreover, the truck is available in left or right-hand driving types to meet with requirements of different geographies.
These trucks are available for orders right now, with the first deliveries slated for Q3 of 2022.
Additionally, models like 7.5t REX, 12t REX and 19t REX with a range of up to 500 km are planned for the forthcoming years.
All these feature-packed zero-emission trucks of British design make Tevva an excellent option in UK commercial vehicles market.
Renault Z.E. Series
The French manufacturer is one of the foremost companies to bring electromobility to markets. Renault has its Z.E. lineup of all-electric commercial vehicles available in the UK.
To begin with, the Z.E. lineup consists of different sizes of vehicles addressing various demands of the market. Most of these trucks are ideal to operate in urban and semi-urban spaces.
Renault D Z.E.
The Renault D Z.E. model has a GVW of up to 16-tonnes. Its electric drive consists of an electric motor and a two-speed gearbox. The Electric drive delivers continuous power of around 130 kW to a maximum of up 185 kW.
Meanwhile, Li-ion batteries of different capacity options of 200, 265, 330 or 395 kWh are available depending on wheelbase. The truck can have a range of up to 300 km depending on the battery configuration and driving profile.
Charging the batteries takes about 12 hours using a standard industrial outlet or less than 120 minutes using fast charging.
Renault D Wide Z.E.
D Wide Z.E. is a bigger model with a larger payload capacity of up 17-tonnes and a GVW of up to 26-tonnes. The vehicle is ideal for waste management tasks with its zero-emission operating profile.
Its electric drive consists of two electric motors and a 2-gear system. It can produce power 260 kW nominally to a maximum of 370 kW, while peak torque of 850 Nm is produced.
The batteries are of Li-ion type with a capacity of 200 kWh. This allows the truck a driving range of up to 120 km. Charging the batteries takes about 8 hours with the onboard charger. The truck is compatible with 150 kW fast charging.
Volvo Electric truck Series
Volvo, one of the top-tier heavy-duty commercial vehicles in the market, is also a dominant player when it comes to electromobility. The company offers a wide range of fully-electric trucks of medium and heavy-duty classes to address varying demands of the market. Its medium-duty lineup consists of FL Electric and FE Electric models, while the heavy-duty lineup consists of FM Electric, FMX Electric and FH Electric.
FL Electric
The FL Electric is an ideal option for urban logistics and waste management. It has a GVW of up to 16.7-tonnes with Day cab or Short sleeper cab options available. The two-axle vehicle consists of an electric powertrain delivering continuous power of 165 kW to a peak of 200 kW.
FL Electric can have up to 317 kWh of battery capacity allowing it a driving range of up to 300 km, depending on various configurations.
FE Electric
The FE Electric is a medium-duty pure electric truck ideal for light urban transportation tasks in addition to deliveries of various requirements. It has a maximum GVW of up to 27-tonnes with a wide range of cab options available.
The three-axled vehicle has its electric powertrain delivering its continuous power of 330 kW to a peak of 400 kW.
Battery capacities of up to 211 kWh which can be fast-charged in under 2 hours are available. The operating range of the model is dependent on the configuration and driving profile.
A range of up to 200 km can be expected doing distribution tasks while up to 120 km for refuse management and light construction.
FM Electric
With a GCW of up to 44-tonnes, the Volvo FM Electric is a hugely versatile model that is suitable for a wide range of tasks in urban areas.
The model is available in different configurations of tractor, rigid and tridem form factors. The tractor options are 4×2 and 6×2, while the rigid version has 4×2, 6×2, 6×4 and 8×2 options. Lastly, a tridem option of 8×4 is also available. All the axles come with air suspension and cabins of all lengths can be found in the model.
Its electric drive consisting of electric motors along with an I-Shift gearbox can deliver powers of up to 490 kW continuously. The torque obtained is up to 2400 Nm.
With options to install 450-540 kWh battery capacities, a range of up to 300 km can be expected. It takes around 9.5 hours to fully charge the batteries with 43 kW, while it can be done in around 2.5 hours with 250 kW DC fast-charging.
In a word, FM Electric’s suitability for a wide range of bodywork makes it one of the most lucrative options in the market.
FMX Electric
FMX Electric is an option from Volvo that is ideal for operating in urban spaces doing construction-related tasks. The model has most of its specifications similar to the FM Electric model.
FH Electric
This heavy-duty model can handle large quantities of cargo freight with ease and deliver it swiftly, especially between fixed cargo hubs. The Volvo FH Electric is a zero-emission heavy truck that is ideal for long-distance transport for large quantities of cargo between cities.
Offered in multiple variants of axle configurations in tractor, rigid and tridem form, the truck has a GCW of up to 44 tonnes. The tractor consists of 4×2, 6×2 options. Rigid has 4×2, 6×2, 6×4, 8×2, and lastly, a tridem option of 8×4.
Three motors along with the I-Shift gearbox, deliver continuous power of up to 490 kW and a torque of 2400 Nm.
Batteries capacities of 180 to 540 kWh are available which can give the silent load carrier a range of up to 300 km.
It takes about 9.5 hours with 43 kW AC to fully charge the battery. While the same can be attained in around 2.5 hours with 250 kW DC fast charging.
Mercedes-Benz eActros
eActros is an all-electric variant of Mercedes-Benz’s iconic Actros heavy truck. To begin with, the electric goods carrier comes in 4×2 and 6×2 axle configurations.
The 4×2 version has a permanent GVW of 19 -tonnes while the bigger 6×2 has 27 tonnes and 27 tonnes (40 tonnes) with a trailer.
These trucks come with a standard range of up to 300 km. The 6×2 configuration can have an additional range of 100 km in the extended-range variant.
Additionally, the electric drive of the eActros can output continuous power of 330 kW and a maximum of 400 kW. The transmission has 2 forward and 2 reverse gears. These trucks have a top speed of 89 km/h.
Three lithium-ion batteries, each of 112 kW, come as standard and an additional battery for the extended range option. Charging the batteries from 20-100 SoC can be done in 75 minutes for the 336 kWh battery. While it takes about 100 minutes for the 448 kWh version.
Volta Zero
Volta Zero is the first vehicle from the full-electric vehicle company. The Zero is an all-electric truck that is ideal to address the logistics as well as distribution demands in urban spaces with clean and silent operation.
The truck comes with two options of the battery pack – a 150 kWh standard and 225 kWh high capacity. It has a max speed of 90 km/h.
The driving range of the truck is stated to be around 150-200 km that is easily able most urban requirements.
Indeed, the cabin has an ergonomic design with seating space for 3 with the driving being in the center. Also to note is its wide visibility area and advanced features allowing its maximum useability.
The maximum payload capacity of the truck is 8.2-tonnes and has a GVW of 16-tonnes. Series production of the truck is to start in late-2022 according to the company.
Scania BEV Electric Trucks
The Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer has its zero-emissions vehicles powered by different methods in several countries. Scania’s BEV range of L and P cab type with a max GTW of 29 tonnes is available in the UK.
Wheel configurations of 4×2, 6×2 and 6×2*4 with axle distances from 3950 to 5750 mm are available for varying requirements.
Further, up to 9 Li-ion batteries can fit all axle options with distances over 4350 mm to get a capacity of 300 kWh. While there is also an option to use 5 batteries for distances above 3950 mm for a capacity of 165 kWh.
Additionally, the batteries can be charged with a CCS type 2 connection of up to 130 kW/ 200A DC fast charging.
MAN eTGM
Traton Group company MAN has eTGM – an all-electric battery-operated truck that is ideal for operating in urban areas.
Its electric drive outputs a power of 264 kW with a torque of 3100 Nm. Additionally, the vehicle has a fixed gear ratio without a manually operated gearbox.
Twelve Li-ion NMC battery packs of a combined capacity of 185 kWh give the vehicle a range of about 195 km.
It takes about 8 hours to fully charge the vehicle with a slow battery-conserving charging at 22 kW AC. While the same can be done in an hour on 150 kW DC fast-charging.
The vehicle has a permissible gross weight of 26 tonnes.
FUSO eCanter
The FUSO eCanter is an all-electric truck. To begin with, it has a GVW of 7.5-tonnes and a payload capacity of around 4.22- tonnes with the cab chassis.
It has an electric drive with a maximum power of 135 kW along with a peak torque of 390 Nm.
The top speed of the light truck is 80 km/h as well as it can climb a maximum gradeability of 20 percent.
Also, its battery pack of 81 kWh allows it a driving range of around 100 km
