IJ McGill joins eFreight 2030 consortium
The IJ McGill team explores a DAF electric truck, the same model as those they will deploy as part of eFreight 2030. Image: Motus Commercials
eFreight 2030, one of the consortia that make up the UK government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator Programme (ZEHID), has announced that family-run IJ McGill Transport is its latest member.
Founded in 1979 by Ian McGill, the haulage and warehousing specialist provides regional distribution and pallet network services across the UK, and is a Pallet Line member. It operates a mixture of 40-tonne and 44-tonne tractor units, rigid trucks ranging from 7.5 to 18 tonnes, 3.5-tonne vans, and a variety of trailers including straight frame, double-deck, and urban configurations.
As part of the consortium the haulier, which currently runs approximately 130 vehicles in total, will add three DAF electric trucks to its fleet, while also installing charging infrastructure at three of its five depots, including a Voltempo UK-manufactured megawatt HyperCharger at its Bristol site, and 240-kilowatt chargers at its Tavistock and West Bromwich locations.
The ZEHID Programme is funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. The eFreight 2030 project is introducing 100 electric HGV tractor units and 32 new charging locations, to take part in a multi-year, real-world evaluation.
Heather Brown, operations director at IJ McGill Transport, explained: “Our charging strategy will primarily focus on depot-based charging, utilising the downtime between routes.
“The megawatt HyperCharger at our Bristol site will be able to charge a vehicle in approximately an hour, while our 240-kilowatt chargers will take around 90 minutes.
“We’ll be charging vehicles during two key windows – early morning when trucks return from overnight trunking operations between 3-4am, and again in the early evening between 5-7pm before they go out for night work.”
The new electric vehicles, supplied by IJ McGill Transport’s local dealer, Motus Commercials DAF Avonmouth, are set to be deployed on both daytime distribution and overnight trunk route work: a strategy designed to maximise utilisation of the vehicles while taking advantage of downtime charging opportunities.
Left to right: IJ McGill Transport company directors Kelly Pope, Lucy Rapps and Heather Brown
Heather continued: “Joining the eFreight 2030 consortium represents an exciting step in our sustainability journey. As a family business that’s always looked towards the future, introducing electric vehicles allows us to reduce our environmental impact while future-proofing our operations. The consortium’s financial support and shared learning opportunities make this transition more accessible for a company of our size.”
The family firm will benefit from the shared knowledge and experience of other members already operating electric trucks, the consortium says, while contributing valuable operational data back to the programme over the five-year project period.
Kelly Pope, HR and sales director at IJ McGill Transport, added: “Sustainability has always been important to our business. From route optimisation and maximising vehicle utilisation to installing solar panels on our warehousing facilities, we’ve consistently sought ways to reduce our environmental footprint.
“Now, with increasing zero-emission zones in cities across the UK, this partnership enables us to offer our customers more sustainable transport solutions while sharing knowledge with other consortium members.”
IJ McGill is also exploring the potential for a hydroelectric power scheme at its main depot in Keynsham, Bristol, using an existing weir at the former paper-mill site.
The company is undertaking feasibility studies and is in discussions with local environmental agencies to assess the viability of renewable energy generation at the site. If successful, this could eventually generate enough electricity to power the entire fleet as it gradually transitions to an all-electric policy.
Michael Boxwell, group chief executive officer at Voltempo which leads the consortium, commented: “I am delighted to welcome IJ McGill Transport into the eFreight 2030 consortium. As a long-established family business with deep roots in the transport industry, IJ McGill brings valuable experience and a genuine commitment to sustainability that aligns perfectly with our mission.”
He continued: “Their forward-thinking approach to green initiatives, from solar panels to exploring hydroelectric power at their historic Bristol site, demonstrates the kind of pioneering spirit we need in this transition. What particularly impresses me is their willingness to embrace new technologies and be among the first to trial innovations – a quality that will be invaluable as we work together to transform the UK’s HGV sector and create a more sustainable future for road freight.”
Dr Isabella Panovic, programme manager, zero emission road freight at Innovate UK, said: “It is fantastic to see another haulier joining the eFreight 2030 consortium, as part of the UK government-funded Zero Emission HGV & Infrastructure Demonstrator, which is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. With the addition of these vehicles and I. J. McGills as a new partner, the breadth of data and learnings from the project will be expanded.”
