Project JOLT: Collaborating with Industry to Decarbonize Road Freight

The urgency of the climate crisis is demanding the electrification of heavy goods vehicles at a rapidly increasing rate. However, a number of issues stand in the way of this vital transition, such as the heavier weight, shorter range and extended delays necessary for the charging of electric heavy goods vehicles when compared to their diesel counterparts.

Project JOLT (Joint Operators Logistics Trial) is an ambitious initiative aimed at accelerating the electrification of the UK’s heavy goods vehicles by addressing these problems. Spearheaded by The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (SRF) in Cambridge, Project JOLT brings together a consortium of leading industry partners, including John Lewis Partnership, Volvo Trucks UK, and Flexible Power Systems in a field trial of electric heavy goods vehicles.

By disseminating electric vehicles and charging kit between hauliers, Project JOLT will test a very wide range of logistics operations, as well as ensuring the project is affordable for all members. Data outputs will also be shared, to maximise the environmental learnings and further increase the possibility of significantly decarbonized road freight in Britain and beyond.