Haulage Body Warns Electric HGV Targets Are Unachievable

Government mandates aimed at phasing out diesel-powered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are currently unattainable, according to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA). As reported by rte.ie, the transition to a sustainable fleet is being stifled by a critical lack of charging infrastructure, leaving the industry unable to meet the ambitious climate goals set by national and European authorities.

The scale of the challenge is highlighted by the current composition of Ireland’s road fleet. While heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) comprise approximately 5% of all vehicles on the road, they are responsible for more than 20% of the country’s total road transport emissions. Despite this environmental impact, the uptake of electric technology remains minimal. Out of 43,000 HGVs currently in operation, just 54 are powered by electric batteries.

Infrastructure Gaps Stalling Fleet Electrification

The Department of Transport views the decarbonisation of the freight sector as a foundational element of Ireland’s climate strategy, particularly as freight demand is expected to double by 2050. However, industry operators argue that the physical reality of the road network does not match the policy trajectory. Brendan Dixon, operations director at North Dublin-based Dixons, which currently operates four electric trucks within a wider fleet of 285 vehicles, notes that while the technology itself is reliable, the supporting ecosystem is absent.

“Currently I think there’s only one designated charger for a truck in Ireland at the moment, so for trucks like this to become viable for general transport or general haulage, there needs to be charging networks placed around the country on the vital routes around the country.” Brendan Dixon

For firms like Dixons, electric trucks offer a quieter ride and significant operational savings, with fuel costs for a full charge coming in at roughly €900 compared to €2,000 for a traditional diesel fill-up. Yet, these potential savings are offset by the high capital expenditure required to transition, as an electric HGV can cost three times more than a standard diesel equivalent.

Grid Capacity Challenges Hinder HGV Electrification Targets

The IRHA has expressed significant skepticism regarding the government’s target to have 30% of new medium and heavy-duty vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2030. According to IRHA President Ger Hyland, the existing national power grid is not equipped to handle the demand that widespread HGV electrification would necessitate.

“You’ll plug a couple of HDVs into any town in Ireland at the present time and the town will be in darkness.” Ger Hyland

Hyland argues that the sector is committed to moving away from diesel, but he insists that the transition must be sequenced correctly, starting with lighter commercial vans before moving to the heavier HGV sector. He suggests that the current 2030 targets are fundamentally unachievable, noting that the HGV sector alone would require a 22% increase in national grid capacity to facilitate a full transition to electric power.

Current Adoption Statistics

The gap between policy ambition and market reality is further illustrated by the latest registration figures. Across the broader category of heavy-duty vehicles, which includes vehicles weighing more than 3,000 tonnes, there are 70,000 units on the road, of which only 565 are battery-electric. When isolated to HGVs specifically, the figure drops to just 54 vehicles.

While the Department of Transport maintains that it is actively supporting the transition through the establishment of a working group and the provision of various grants, the IRHA reports that industry uptake of these financial incentives remains low. The Department has acknowledged that while electrification is the most mature zero-emission technology available, it remains a complex challenge for specific operational use cases.