Paul Jolly: Electric HGV trucks hit Copenhagen

Denmark is markedly further down the electrification road than the UK but there are many reasons for this.

A recent visit to this most friendly of our European neighbours revealed a different way of doing things using the carrot rather than the stick approach.

However, it must be noted that Denmark is largely flat and this really suits electric cars. Their population is less than 10% of the UK with most industrialised production in one area. Total land area is less than 20% of the UK so distances are much less.

Automotive excellence and design frequently originate in Scandinavia and Volvo Trucks held this display in Copenhagen of new, all electric lorries with some remarkable statistics. They claim that HGVs can use 2500 barrels of oil in a lifetime equivalent to one single off-shore turbine output production in just 10 days. Impressive if true. Certainly these 40 tonne trucks suit the level highways as found in Europe and not tracking back and forth across the Pennines here in the UK for example.

Passenger car percentage EV take up is significantly higher in Denmark than the UK because their government has for years been handing out substantial financial gain through the taxation system so private buyers feel the benefit in their pocket. Similarly, business users benefit by choosing EVs.

Only very recently has the UK government introduced a £3750 grant for some new EVs but with strings attached. You are more likely to only get the lower £1500 grant at present. Along with proper charging infrastructure, these measures should have been introduced years ago.

My cynicism as a motor trader cannot help but think that actually the dealers will pocket this rather than continue their own discounting of new EVs.

It’s no good blaming the Chinese Govt for subsidising their products. Our government has been doing the same for decades with Rootes Group/British Leyland et al.

Meanwhile, our government continues to clobber the poor old donkey trying to pull the cart. 

Fining British manufacturers for failing to meet unrealistic and idiotic targets is a one-way ticket to UK motor manufacturing oblivion.