Press Release, 25 November 2025
The UK’s largest container port, Hutchison Ports’s Port of Felixstowe, has received the second delivery of autonomous, electric trucks from global smart-logistics provider Westwell, marking a major step forward in smart-port operations. The new vehicles, part of the Q-Truck series, are designed for full autonomy—with a cabin-free design, 360° sensor fusion including 128-line LiDAR, and an automated battery-swap system that powers each unit in under five minutes.
By integrating these advanced trucks into its mixed-traffic terminal environment, the port not only enhances its operational efficiency and uptime but also furthers its sustainability goals. Each Q-Truck is estimated to cut around 50 tons of CO₂ annually by running on clean electricity in place of diesel-powered yard vehicles. Statements from the port’s leadership highlight that the upgraded sensor suite marks “the next phase” of autonomous adoption, supporting the existing workforce rather than replacing it. Meanwhile, Westwell notes that this deployment serves as a benchmark for scaling autonomous logistics in Europe, coupled with plans for local support infrastructure including a UK spare-parts hub and regional engineering team.
This expansion signals a growing confidence in large-scale deployment of autonomous heavy-duty vehicles within port ecosystems—and positions the Port of Felixstowe as a leading European site for sustainable, high-tech freight operations.
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