Freight News, Logistics, Road


AV Dawson Transport tests electric truck

[ June 23, 2025   //   ]

Middlesbrough-based AV Dawson Transport has run a pilot trial of a fully electric heavy goods vehicle (HGV) as part of its net zero plans.

Working in partnership solutions provider VEV, the transport firm put the 42-tonne, fully electric HGV to the test across a variety of routes to its customers’ sites. It completed over 1,800 miles over 42 journeys, delivering a reduction in emissions of 2.3 tonnes from a single vehicle in ten days.

Electric HGVs can have a direct impact not only in reducing AV Dawson Transport’s own carbon emissions but also benefit its customers, as it enables them to reduce their Scope 3 carbon emissions – the indirect greenhouse gases released within a company’s wider supply chain, rather than those directly emitted by the company itself.

Head of operations at AV Dawson Transport, Paul Scott, said: “This is an exciting time for us at AV Dawson Transport. To be one of the few businesses in the UK to trial this fully electric truck is something we are hugely proud of.

“We realise that as a haulage business, we have a considerable challenge ahead when it comes to our net zero journey and have explored a number of alternative fuel solutions over the last 12 months, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

“The team and I know we need to get ahead of the curve and need to think innovatively in terms of how we can tackle this issue and work closely with our customers on how we can do this effectively for both parties.

“We’re part of large, complex, international supply chains for a number of major manufacturers and processes, so it’s always been really important to work closely with our customers to help ensure their logistics are as efficient as possible. More recently there has been a real focus on how we can enable our customers to reduce their Scope 3 emissions, which will in turn, reduce their carbon footprints. This trial is a great example of how we’re working together to do exactly that.

“If we make the switch to alternative fuel lorries, we can reduce our carbon emissions for AV Dawson Transport by over 90%, so it’s something we are seriously considering, as it will support both our own Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals and also those of our customers.”

Some 40% of transport emissions in the North East can be attributed to HGVs supplying the region’s major industries including steel and automotive manufacturers.

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