Hub to Hub Autonomous Hydrogen HGV Tractor Deployment

This project will result in the development and deployment of a zero-emission hydrogen-electric autonomous HGV. This addresses two major technological trends within the automotive industry and offers significant R&D and business opportunities for the consortium members.

HVS (OEM) will produce new autonomous vehicle designs and powertrain packaging.

Fusion (Tier 1) will build on its previous autonomous bus project, converting its market-leading technology to the HGV sector.

Asda (Operator) will act as the end-user/operator of the vehicles, but will also work with the consortium to develop a new logistics and driver model based on the opportunities autonomous HGVs offer.

This project will deliver an all-new autonomous HGV for the UK market, enabling significant efficiency and operational cost savings for logistics operators. The project will facilitate the early adoption of zero-tailpipe emission vehicles in a heavily polluting sector, through increased economic attractiveness and lifecycle total cost of ownership (TCO) parity with diesel for the HGV hub to hub operation.

By including the vehicle OEM, the Tier 1 supplier and the operator/end-user, this consortium overcomes significant barriers to bringing this technology to successful deployment and has a clear route to market.

Fusion are the market-leading provider of proven AV technology for the bus sector, having successfully launched the UK's first autonomous bus on a public route in 2022\.

Working with the end user, Asda, the project will address the growing HGV driver shortage by offering better working conditions, improved skills development for remote/safety drivers, increasing recruitment among women and people with disabilities, as well as increasing operational safety.

The autonomous technology for HGV long-haul enables a new logistics model to be implemented that makes better use of the existing UK road network, optimises time-shifted delivery, addresses driver working hour limits, and enables reductions in average speeds (increasing safety, noise pollution and efficiency) all of which feed into reducing TCO for the operator and offer significant environmental benefits.