A heavy burden: how we’re helping to electrify the haulage industry

From delivering your groceries to transporting vital medications, logistics is often called the lifeline of our modern world.

To meet this constant demand, the UK’s heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) travel an incredible 12.2 billion miles annually, producing around 17 million tonnes of CO2e. That’s a lot of pollution for an essential service.

Imagine if those lorries didn’t produce those exhaust pipe emissions but instead ran on electricity. At E.ON we’re helping make that vision a reality, by laying the groundwork for major eTruck infrastructure. With our network we’re charging ahead (literally!) across Europe – and closer to home here in the UK.

Can eTrucks pull their weight?

It’s a question many sceptics still ask — and with good reason.

The UK’s road haulage industry, vital as it is, has just 300 electric lorries in a fleet of 500,000. By comparison, there are more than 1.1 million electric cars on British roads and 63,000 public charging units to support them.

Still, electric trucks are already proving their worth in local distribution. Innovations like rapid-charging technology and next-gen batteries are paving the way for eTrucks to go the distance.

Take the UK’s Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 project, for example. This advanced electric truck stopped at one of our UK hubs during the 2024 EV Rally — a 5-day, 1,400+ mile challenge showcasing 50 EVs on the road. Impressively, it drew 297kW of energy from our 300kW charger, using almost the full capacity - a testament to the power of today’s electric freight vehicles and the potential of infrastructure right here in Britain.

Charging hubs aren’t just for cars anymore. As eTrucks gain momentum, the need for large, purpose-built charging bays is clear.

A new European network with MAN Truck & Bus

At E.ON, we’re already delivering solutions for the trucking industry. Our approach combines the grid connections they need with smart technology to make charging seamless, efficient, and scalable, designed for the demands of heavy-duty vehicles.

At E.ON, we’re already building a pan-European network in collaboration with MAN Truck & Bus to power heavy duty EVs across the continent. This ambitious venture will add around 400 charging stations at 170 locations including in Germany and the UK, offering new capabilities for cross-border transport.

Here in the UK, we’re already developing MAN UK charging hubs in Stockton-on-Tees, Manchester, Gateshead and Swindon, with the aim of being open to the public later this year, providing reliable infrastructure to support the growing eTruck revolution.

With major vehicle manufacturers accelerating their electric truck offerings, the need for accessible and robust charging networks is greater than ever — especially for long-haul heavy transport. By staying ahead of the curve, we’re enabling the haulage industry to shift gears towards a greener, more sustainable future.

What’s next?

While electric trucks are gaining momentum, the race to greener freight isn’t over. Alternatives like hydrogen and synthetic fuels remain part of the conversation, but eTrucks are speeding ahead as battery costs fall and green incentives rise.

Studies even suggest that by 2030, eTrucks could surpass diesel when it comes to lifecycle costs — proving to be not just a greener option but a smarter one, too.

Switching to greener freight is more of a relay than a sprint — but every mile counts. And we’re proud to be out in front, leading the charge.