MORE zero-emission trucks are set to drive on UK roads, thanks to a £200 million boost to decarbonise freight vehicles, drive innovation and create new jobs.

With heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) alone contributing 20 per cent to all transport emissions across the UK, the £200 million in government funding will be invested across four "innovative green projects" to roll out up to 370 zero-emission HGVs and help set road freight on the path towards net zero. 

Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, ministers say the investment will also deliver around 57 refuelling and electric charging sites, providing the crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise. 

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Roads Minister, Richard Holden, visited Voltempo in Birmingham last week – one of the recipients of the £200 million – whose eFREIGHT 2030 project is set to create up to 200 new jobs by 2030 and provide Birmingham with one of the UK’s first electric vehicle charging hubs dedicated to HGVs.

Further to Voltempo, the other projects that will receive a share of the £200 million boost are Project Electric Freightway by GRIDSERVE, Project Zero Emission North (ZEN) Freight and Hydrogen Aggregated Logistics (HyHAUL) by Protium.

Mr Holden said:  "Freight and logistics are the beating heart of our economy and it is only right that we celebrate the sector so that it gets the recognition and support it deserves. 

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"From boosting zero emission tech across freight to attracting the future generation of talent to the industry, we are working hard to drive innovation, create jobs and grow the economy by building a brighter, more innovative future for one of our most crucial industries."