The M180 in North Lincolnshire could become the first electric motorway in the country by 2024.
Cables would be installed over at least 19 miles of the 鈥榚-highway鈥 to power electric lorries and reduce carbon emissions.
The scheme would span a significant stretch between the major logistics hubs of Immingham and Doncaster and is seen as another shot in the arm for the area鈥檚 transformation from major polluter to green pioneer.
Read more:Den Hartogh Logistics makes major South Humber Bank investment
Electric lorries鈥 batteries would be charged by overhead cables in a model similar to that deployed for trains and trams.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said the choice of location for the trial showed confidence in the area.
鈥淲e all depend on heavy goods vehicles for everything we eat and live with,鈥 he said.
鈥淚t is great that the area has been singled out by the government for this pioneering project which will reduce carbon emissions and streamline infrastructure.
鈥淲e are being recognised as a global gateway with one of the biggest port complexes in the country, and it will only get bigger with the Able Marine Energy Park.
鈥淪cunthorpe is also known for its food manufacturers which will make good use of the highway.鈥
HGVs release nearly a fifth of all carbon emissions, despite representing just over one per cent of road vehicles, making cleaner technology vital to hit emissions targets.
They are seen as one of the hardest elements of the Net Zero puzzle to solve, with the weight of standalone batteries to power a fully-laden vehicle posing a considerable engineering challenge.
The Department of Transport this past week has announced 拢20 million studies into zero-emission road freight trials.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: 鈥淭hrough our bold and ambitious transport decarbonisation plan, we鈥檙e leading the way in the transition to zero emission vehicles by becoming the first country in the world to commit to ending the sale of all new fossil-fuelled road vehicles by 2040, subject to consultation.
鈥淔rom Doncaster to Scotland, by working in partnership with industry, this funding will allow us to better understand the role of zero emission HGVs while levelling up the industry and boosting regional economies.鈥
The consortium of businesses involved with the project will be led by Costain and will also include Siemens Mobility, Scania and SPL, who have been involved with similar trials in Europe.
Sue Kershaw, managing director for transportation at Costain, said: 鈥淭his study is another important step towards understanding how industry could work together to tackle one of the largest carbon emission producers in the country and create a cleaner, greener and more efficient road freight network across the 海角视频.
"Bringing our heritage in complex programme delivery and expertise in integrating technology to this consortium is part of our Climate Change Action Plan to implement change and create a green transport future through collaboration.鈥
Get business news direct to your inbox
There's no better time to stay up to date with economic and business news from your region. By signing up for our daily newsletters, email breaking news alerts and weekly round-ups from all the major sectors, you get our journalism direct by email. To sign up, find out more and see all of our newsletters, follow the link here
Germany and Sweden have been previous test beds, but the 海角视频 initiative will be the first in the world to investigate deploying it at a much larger scale - with 30km envisaged.
The partners plan to take the lessons learned from Europe, and provide technical, economic, and environmental recommendations for installing a proof-of-concept system with a bigger demonstration fleet.
A nine month study is underway.
William Wilson, chief executive of Siemens Mobility Ltd said: 鈥淚nvesting in proven technologies like e-highways can help us go further and faster to decarbonise the 海角视频鈥檚 transport network, and support jobs and growth to level up the country.
鈥淏y building on successful trials from other countries like Germany, our ERS consortium M180 trial will help the 海角视频 move a step closer to replacing more polluting trucks with clean, efficient electric HGVs.鈥
It is seen as an opportunity to completely revamp the 海角视频 truck manufacturing industry and its supply chains, futureproofing it by accelerating fleet digitalisation. Research by the consortium has even found that initial investments into new vehicles by operators could be recouped within 18 months, due to lower energy costs, and the electrification infrastructure would pay back investors in 15 years.
James Armstrong, managing director for Scania Great Britain Ltd, said: 鈥淓lectrifying road freight is key in the 海角视频鈥檚 journey to zero net emissions. We have been working with our partners to develop and mature the e-highway technologies and have demonstrated that they are not only viable but attractive, cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuel-based vehicles for our customers.
鈥淭his partnership is dedicated to marrying technical excellence with visionary ambition, which is how we will achieve a practical and affordable electric roads system for the freight and logistics industry.鈥
- Have you followed BusinessLive Humber on and yet? Click through to learn more.
