This project was commissioned by the UK Committee on Climate Change to improve its evidence base on the effects of demand-side measures on the decarbonisation of trucking in the UK.  Demand-side  measures influence the actual use of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) rather than design and manufacture.   The study helped to inform the advice given by the CCC to the UK government on the UK’s 5th carbon budget, relating to the period 2028-2032. Three sets of intervention were considered:

- technological improvements to existing vehicles, e.g the retrofitting of aerodynamic devices.

- measures to promote more efficient driving styles, such as training in eco-driving.

- logistical changes resulting in improved routing, greater load consolidation and less empty running

The project also assessed the opportunities for shifting freight from road to rail, another means of cutting HGV-kms and related emissions.

The analysis suggested that annual CO₂ savings from the demand-side measures would range from 5.1 to 6.5 MtCO2 by 2035 (central case 5.9) against the baseline scenario. In the ‘central case’ scenario CO₂ emissions would be reduced by 25%, with around 60% of the savings coming from measures that improve operational efficiency and 40% from logistics measures.

Full report can be downloaded from the Committee on Climate Change website

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