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Partners think electric to run first battery cross-Channel freight truck

[ June 11, 2025   //   ]

Kuehne+Nagel, P&O Ferries and Renault Trucks have partnered to operate the first heavy-duty electric truck carrying freight across the English Channel via ferry.

The heavy-duty electric truck crossed the Channel from Dover to Calais on P&O Ferries’ newest hybrid double-ended vessel, P&O Liberté, which produces 40% fewer carbon emissions than conventional ferries on the same route.

it completed its journey at a Kuehne+Nagel depot in France before returning to the UK.

The partners say the event demonstrates the operational viability of electric trucks on international routes and showcases their potential for decarbonising freight transportThey add that it also proves that ferries, unlike tunnels – where restrictions sometimes apply due to safety concerns with lithium-ion batteries – offer a safe alternative for electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) between the UK and mainland Europe. 

Until now, no heavy-duty electric truck with freight had completed this ferry route, which reflects the current scarcity of such vehicles and the practical limitations of battery range.

The collaboration aims to boost confidence in electric truck technology and accelerate the shift to sustainable transport fleets.

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