A new case study from the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA), Renault Trucks and contract hire provider Vertellus has found that electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) can match, and in some cases exceed, the performance of diesel vehicles on local wholesale delivery routes.
The study found that up to 95% of short and regional journeys across participating wholesalers’ fleets could be completed using electric trucks.
The trial was designed to give wholesalers practical insight into how electrification could support decarbonisation goals.
Facilitated by SWA, United Wholesale (Scotland) and Creed Foodservice took part in the trial, operating the vehicles in real-world conditions across multiple seasons on multi-drop food and drink delivery routes.
Key findings included:
- Up to 95% of short and regional journeys are achievable using eHGVs based on real-world data.
- The electric vehicles consistently matched or exceeded diesel performance in local multi-drop operations.
- Trial vehicles used an average of 36% of battery capacity, indicating potential to increase utilisation as confidence grows.
- Emissions savings exceeded 50kg of CO₂ per 100km, equivalent to 10-13 tonnes annually per vehicle.
- Depot-based charging delivered lower running costs than diesel. United Wholesale (Scotland) reported costs around £10-£20 lower per 100km, while Creed Foodservice estimated annual savings of £6,630.
- Driver and customer feedback was largely positive.
The findings come from the Vertellus EV Discovery Programme, which allows wholesalers to lease 18-tonne Renault Trucks E-Tech D electric HGVs for 12 months at a cost comparable to diesel alternatives.
The report also highlighted areas where further development is needed, particularly charging infrastructure outside major urban areas and support for route planning and fleet integration.
Transport-related emissions remain the largest source of operational emissions for the wholesale sector. SWA research found that HGV fuel use accounts for 63.7% of the sector’s emissions in Scotland.
Ylva Haglund, Head of Sustainability and Communications at SWA, said: “The wholesale sector has understandable reasons to be cautious about electrification – tight schedules, thin margins, and no room for deliveries to fail.
“What this trial shows is that those concerns and the reality of electric HGVs are starting to diverge. That should give wholesalers confidence to begin their own transition.”
