en.Wedoany.com Reported - DP World has expanded its low-carbon truck program, launching a new initiative aimed at helping UK transport companies gain practical experience with pure electric heavy goods vehicles.

This latest phase, named the Electric Vehicle Introduction and Transition Accelerator (EVITA), allows operators to lease electric trucks for 12 weeks and test these vehicles in real-world operations starting from Southampton.

The pilot will run from July 2026 to 2029, building on an initial trial launched earlier this year in collaboration with the University of Cambridge's Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and the JOLT project.

DP World stated that the project aims to help operators better understand the performance of electric trucks on their own routes and within existing supply chains by offering vehicles at a cost comparable to diesel trucks.

Over 1,500 trucks from more than 60 UK transport companies have already registered for the low-carbon truck program.

Some operators have already received electric vehicles through this expanded program, including Williams Shipping and ATL Haulage. These trucks are equipped with telematics systems to monitor performance, efficiency, and environmental impact.

In the initial phase, the program offers pure electric trucks from Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and MAN, with the fleet set to increase to four vehicles starting in October. DP World expects the project to create up to 100 pilot opportunities over the next three years.

John Trenchard, Vice President of Sustainable Supply Chains at DP World Europe, stated that over 80% of freight in the UK is transported by road, making decarbonization initiatives that empower transport companies to take action within their own supply chains crucial for the UK's energy transition. He noted that through the EVITA pilot, DP World demonstrates its commitment to helping the industry adopt more sustainable freight transport methods via a practical and commercially attractive pathway.

ATL Haulage is one of the first operators to participate in the program. Managing Director Drew Roberts said that after using a MAN electric heavy truck for a month, they are doing exactly what EVITA was designed for—testing, learning, and adapting. Joining this project was about de-risking the unknown, and that is precisely what is happening.

Project participants will also have access to DP World's electric truck charging facilities in Southampton, including dual 360kWh chargers at the port's driver welfare center.

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