RHA welcomes "constructive" meeting on Scottish Zero Emission Truck Taskforce

The RHA has welcomed the first meeting of the Scottish Zero Emission Truck Taskforce as "constructive".

The Taskforce, chaired by transport minister Jenny Gilruth, has been set up to provide a strategic steer on Scotland’s decarbonisation of HGVs and features a number of hauliers, trade bodies, zero emission technology firms, unions, financial and skills providers.

Workgroups

Initial positions were discussed with it clear learning from elsewhere in the UK can be applied with separate workgroups set out to explore specific details.

It will focus on:

technological development and the viability of either battery-electric or hydrogen power;

the supply chain for such technologies;

energy provision and necessary infrastructure;

finance

Additionally, there was discussion about how skills could contribute with the workforce supporting new technologies for decarbonisation – and how it could also attract new drivers to the industry.

RHA work on this issue was raised by the transport minister – and it was ensured that the minister for skills would be involved in this work.

Transition

The RHA also raised the issue that the Taskforce should consider the transition from the existing diesel fleet – and how this needs to be managed sustainably for businesses.

Speaking about the Taskforce, Environment lead at the RHA, Chris Ashley, said: “This was a very good first meeting to steer how Scotland can play its part to decarbonise lorries. As the potential of new zero emission technologies become apparent, the Taskforce demonstrated a clear commitment and consensus to address the many practical issues that lie ahead to introduce these technologies.

“However, it is also important that the existing diesel fleet is phased out in a sustainable manner so that operators can plan how they replace their fleet effectively. This is an issue that the RHA will continue to advocate so that decarbonisation works for everyone.”