Scottish SCALE consortium launches to tackle HGV emissions
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Reportedly, HGV’s are responsible for 12.8% of national CO₂ emissions generated by fleets, with the Voletempo-led consortium aiming to decarbonise the industry.
Backed by Transport Scotland through its £2m HGV Market Readiness Fund, SCALE brings together a group of Scottish hauliers and logistics partners.
Voltempo will coordinate the consortium from a new Glasgow office, situated near two forthcoming Voltempo HyperCharger sites scheduled to go live in 2026.
Creel Maritime drawing on its Net Zero Timhaul partnership with Scotlog, and James Jones & Sons, will join a wider group of carriers preparing to introduce new electric vehicles into service.
The SCALE consortium builds on Voltempo’s experience as project lead in the UK-wide eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, part of the UK government’s £200m Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator Programme (ZEHID).
SCALE will deploy electric HGVs from a number of vehicle manufacturers from 7.5 tonnes up to 44 tonnes, testing their capability in real-world applications across Scotland, including food distribution, next-day parcel deliveries to remote communities, and the movement of critical medical supplies.
Central to SCALE’s approach is the creation of a community-owned charging network, with an expected emphasis on shared charging hubs to support both large and small fleets.
Dedicated financial support packages will be available, particularly targeting smaller vehicle operators, that are the lifeblood of the Scottish haulier sector.
Founder of Voltempo, Michael Boxwell, said: “Scotland has the vision, and now the opportunity, to accelerate the transition to zero-emission freight and we are delighted to be leading SCALE, a consortium specifically designed to give hauliers the confidence, the infrastructure and the support they need to make the switch to electric.
“By working together, we can build a national charging ecosystem that works for every operator, from major fleets to the smallest rural haulier, and that allows Scotland to meet its ambitious freight decarbonisation targets.”