Freight Goes Green: Electric Trucks, Hydrogen Moves and Industry Roadmaps

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The UK freight sector is accelerating its journey to net zero with a surge of pioneering initiatives across electric trucks, hydrogen logistics, low-carbon fuels and strategic roadmaps.

Wincanton has taken delivery of 24 heavy-duty battery-electric trucks this year, supplied by DAF, Volvo and Renault. These vehicles, capable of operating at over 40 tonnes, are set to cut around 2,400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. The company is also implementing depot charging infrastructure across key sites in Greenford, Portbury, Scotland Gateway and Northamptonshire in partnership with Voltempo and Gridserve to support its electrified fleet rollout. The move forms part of broader, government-backed demonstrator programmes aimed at zero emission HGV deployment.

Meanwhile, ZENFreight, under the government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) project, has added John G Russell Transport to its consortium. Russell will trial three MAN battery-electric HGVs and three hydrogen-electric Scania HGVs, equipped with both electric charging and hydrogen refuelling solutions at its Coatbridge depot near Glasgow. All vehicles are scheduled to be on the road by March 2026 and will operate over a five‑year period to gather real-world performance data.

Hydrogen is also taking to the rails. Network Rail, in collaboration with Freightliner and GeoPura, completed the first-ever transport of hydrogen via rail on Britain’s network. This milestone took place at the Tuxford Test Tracks, connected to HyMarnham Power the UK’s largest green hydrogen production facility. The successful trial highlights rail’s potential as both a zero-emission transport mode and a strategic distribution network for green hydrogen.

On the policy front, the rollout of zero-emission trucks is gaining momentum. The SMMT reports that registrations of new zero-emission HGVs nearly doubled in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 97 units (1% market share), up from 0.5%. Simultaneously, zero-emission bus demand surged by about 130%, reinforcing the UK’s lead in Europe’s zero-emission bus market.

Despite growth, challenges persist. A decline in overall demand for zero-emission trucks in 2024, falling 7.3% to 217 units at a 0.5% market share, underscores the urgency for stronger support. The upcoming expiration of the Plug-in Truck Grant could elongate adoption timelines, especially given the very limited en‑route charging infrastructure available for HGVs.

In response, the government has launched a £200 million funding package for 370 zero‑emission trucks and an additional £2.4 million to support green innovation via the Freight Innovation Fund, backed by Connected Places Catapult. This initiative aims to drive decarbonisation across the freight sector, support small and medium enterprises, and spur new green technology deployment.

Industry cooperation is stepping up as well. The Welch Group has launched its “12 Pillars of Change” via its TwentyForty platform, bringing together stakeholders across advocacy, energy, infrastructure, finance, academia and more to collaboratively establish a roadmap for achieving zero-emission freight by 2040.

Sector-wide strategies are also emerging. Zemo Partnership teamed up with the Aldersgate Group for a workshop in January 2025. Participants from across freight, retail, consulting and policy highlighted that while full electrification of HGVs is the goal, there are significant practical and technological uncertainties. Short- to medium-term reliance on low‑carbon fuels such as biomethane and HVO may extend to 2040, until full electrification is viable.

In Wales, a Zemo Partnership report outlines 60 specific policy actions targeting the decarbonisation of commercial vehicles, estimating cumulative CO₂ savings of 8.4 MtCO₂e by 2050 and delivering nearly £2.1 billion in fuel cost savings for operators. The benefit-to-cost ratio is an estimated 5.9.

Finally, the Electric Freightway initiative – supported by Hitachi Zero Carbon and Gridserve  reports that participating fleets have now clocked over half a million zero‑emission miles. Notably, the initiative forecasts that total cost of ownership parity between electric HGVs and diesel trucks may be achieved within five years.

What this means:
The UK freight sector is advancing rapidly toward net‑zero. Electric truck deployments, hydrogen logistics trials, and collaborative roadmapping point to substantial progress. Yet growth remains fragile without supportive infrastructure, consistent funding and clear policy signals. Low-carbon fuels will likely play an essential bridging role in the near term, with full electrification becoming feasible in the longer term. Strategic government‑industry collaboration—backed by demonstrator programmes, investment and inclusive planning—will determine whether these gains are scaled across the sector.

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