DP World's EVITA Trial: Decarbonising Logistics with Trucks

DP World's Low Carbon Truck Programme (LCTP), which launched in September, has been designed to provide truck operators with access to more sustainable fuel options.

The initiative has now grown to incorporate the Electric Vehicle Transition & Introduction Accelerator (EVITA) trial, offering additional sustainable alternatives to the logistics sector.

With the logistics industry representing a substantial source of global emissions, DP World's decarbonisation initiatives could signal a broader commitment to environmental responsibility within the sector.

The scale of the challenge

The logistics and transport sector plays an essential role in goods distribution and supply chain maintenance, yet it accounts for 24% of global CO₂ emissions. According to data from 2023, fossil fuel-powered road transport in the European Union generated 750 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, with light and heavy trucks and buses contributing 39% of this total.

To address this environmental challenge, logistics companies globally are exploring alternative operational methods, transitioning to electric vehicles or adopting alternative fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). This renewable diesel substitute could reduce emissions by up to 90% compared with traditional fossil fuels.

DP World processes more than 4,000 trucks daily across its two UK ports and is attempting to offset carbon emissions while creating more sustainable supply chains for port users. In September, the company started offering UK heavy goods vehicle fleet owners HVO at no additional cost.

Fleet owners can claim up to 5,000 litres of HVO per vehicle, accessing renewable fuel alongside carbon literacy training aimed at reducing transport emissions. The programme's positive reception has encouraged DP World to advance its decarbonisation strategy through a new trial initiative.

"As an expansion to our Low Carbon Truck Programme (LCTP) we have launched our Electric Vehicle Transition & Introduction Accelerator (EVITA) trial, a pragmatic approach to support container truck operators to trial zero tailpipe emission vehicles for container work," explains John Trenchard, VP of Sustainable International Supply Chains at DP World Europe.

Advancing towards zero emissions

Beyond low emission transport, DP World is now pursuing zero emissions through electrification. EVs have emerged as one of the most widely adopted alternatives to fossil fuel vehicles, prompting numerous logistics companies to begin trialling eHGVs.

"Earlier this month we made another small but important step to support customers with lower carbon containerised supply chain solutions in the UK, by assigning two 42 tonne electric HGVs to local hauliers for container transport at Southampton," John says.

"In this initial EVITA trial, we have teamed up with the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (SRF) at University of Cambridge and their Project JOLT programme, to test four trucks between January and June with members of the LCTP. Thanks to David Cebon and the team for collaborating on this project."

John reports that Natalie Noke, Director at SJG Haulage & Commercial workshop and James Watts, Managing Director at Port Express Limited have taken delivery of the first EVITA trial trucks at DP World Southampton. The location's new driver welfare facilities and twin electric truck charging stations, which offer 360kWh capacity, are designed to support operators with the EV transition.

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Supporting smaller fleets

The movement towards more sustainable logistics has gained momentum, yet it comes with considerable costs.

While the benefits could result in long-term savings, the initial investment in eHGVs can represent a significant financial burden for smaller businesses.

Through the new trial, small fleets are gaining opportunities to decarbonise at a practical level, with the chance to demonstrate their capabilities within logistics while competing with larger operators that have greater resources.

"The focus on helping small fleets to decarbonise and finding practical solutions to their electrification problems is critically important to the energy transition for trucking. Small (family run) businesses are the backbone of the industry and run most of the world's trucks," says David Cebon, Director of Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Cambridge.

"They also do the most difficult logistics tasks, need flexible vehicles with large ranges and extensive charging infrastructure and of course, small companies have the least resources available to fund the transition.

"DP World is one of very few large companies in logistics that are taking positive steps to help SMEs. This lines-up perfectly with the objectives of Project JOLT - so we are delighted to collaborate on this project!"

Through collaborative efforts across the supply chain, DP World is addressing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

The electrification of HGVs could represent a crucial step towards logistics decarbonisation, requiring investment from logistics companies to tackle emissions and meet sustainability targets.