eFREIGHT Autonomous, a consortium of experts in commercial vehicles and automotive technology, has secured funding and support from the UK Government and industry through the CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies (FS) Competition delivered by Innovate UK and Zenzic.
One of 14 projects selected through the competition, eFREIGHT Autonomous will explore the role of autonomous heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in the UK from the perspective of fleet operations.
By evaluating today’s technology and understanding the direction of future developments, the study aims to identify potential use cases, assess commercial viability, and examine the infrastructure and legislative frameworks required to enable autonomous trucking in the UK.
Led by EV charging specialists, Voltempo Group, developers of the British designed and manufactured electric HGV megawatt charging system, the consortium includes Berkeley Coachworks, designer of the innovative, lightweighted Berkeley Bulldog e-trailer, and data and research partner, Connected Places Catapult. Chairman of the consortium is Sir Vince Cable (pictured), former Liberal Democrat Secretary-of-State for Business, Innovation and Skills who gave the green light to the UK’s first tests of driverless technology in 2014.
Sir Vince Cable said: “We are delighted to have been selected to take part in the CAM Pathfinder feasibility study to research, evaluate and help shape the future of UK freight transport from the perspective of fleet operators. Autonomous technology offers a chance to unlock innovation across transport, strengthen the UK supply chain and rethink logistics that are cleaner, greener and better for local communities and better for business”
Michael Boxwell (pictured with Cable), CEO of Voltempo said: “Autonomous vehicles are already in everyday use in parts of China and the US, and trials here in the UK, such as self-driving shuttles in Birmingham and autonomous buses in Scotland, are paving the way for wider adoption by 2027 with the full implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act. For freight operators working on tight margins, this is a chance to understand this transformational technology, help shape its future rollout and explore the real cost-saving opportunities it can deliver for the UK supply chain through improved efficiencies.”
Mark Cracknell, Programme Director at Zenzic, said: “We are thrilled to announce the eFREIGHT Autonomous project, spearheaded by Voltempo, Connected Places Catapult and Berkeley Coachworks, as one of the fourteen exciting CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies taking place across the UK.
“The deployment of Connected and Automated Mobility solutions holds incredible promise – enhancing accessibility, reducing emissions, and fostering a transport network that is both reliable and inclusive. The eFREIGHT Autonomous project will serve as a pivotal example in showcasing those benefits. We are looking forward to working with the project consortia as they further develop their business case, demonstrate the commercial readiness of the service, and provide vital insight into the opportunities presented by the deployment of CAM solutions in regions throughout the UK.”
At the end of the project, eFREIGHT Autonomous will produce reports and briefing documents for government and industry that outline the roadmap for autonomous heavy road freight vehicles, identifying potential opportunities, risks, costs and timescales for autonomous vehicles for the road freight industry.
In parallel with the study, consortium member Berkeley Coachworks plans to develop autonomous HGVs at its manufacturing site and test track in Trecwn, Pembrokeshire. Following the publication of its reports, eFREIGHT Autonomous plans to examine the opportunity to create real-world trials with autonomous HGVs, running on UK roads, with the potential is to have autonomous HGVs operational by the end of 2027.
Work on the eFREIGHT Autonomous feasibility study project will begin summer 2025, with results delivered early 2027.
The founding members of the eFREIGHT Autonomous consortium, and Chair, Sir Vince Cable, are also members of eFREIGHT 2030, part of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstration programme funded by Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. eFREIGHT 2030 is currently rolling out electric HGVs and the first phase of an eHGV charging network across the UK, learning how electric trucks can work within real world environments.