'E-highways' could slash UK road freight emissions, says study

System of overhead cables and adapted lorries could pay for itself within 15 years

The UK could eliminate the majority of the carbon dioxide emissions from road freight by installing overhead charging cables for electric lorries on e-highways" across the country, a report by government-funded academics suggests.

The plan for a so-called electric road system would cost 19.3bn and put all but the most remote parts of the UK within reach of the trucks by the late 2030s, with the potential for the investment to pay for itself within 15 years, according to the report by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight. The centre is backed by government research grants and industry partners including Tesco, Sainsbury's and John Lewis.