Government Incentives and Infrastructure Transform UK Net‑Zero Transport Landscape

Welcome to Net Zero News, your daily briefing on the UK’s transition to a low‑carbon future.

The UK transport sector is witnessing significant momentum as both infrastructure investment and policy support converge to accelerate decarbonisation. One of the most critical developments is the Government’s extension of the Plug‑in Truck Grant, offering discounts of up to £120,000 on new electric trucks. This initiative comes from an additional £18 million allocated to expand the grant until March 2026, as part of a broader £318 million green freight package. The breakdown of savings spans smaller trucks (4.25t–12t), mid‑sized (12t–18t), and larger models (18t–26t), offering operators substantial upfront cost relief.

Simultaneously, zero emission HGV (heavy goods vehicle) registrations surged by nearly 60% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with approximately 183 new zero‑emission HGVs registered. While this still represents only about 1% of the total market, the growth signals that fleet decarbonisation is gaining traction though the UK must accelerate further to meet its goal of all new HGVs up to 26 tonnes being zero emission by 2035.

On the infrastructure side, the Government has unveiled a £63 million funding package aimed at enhancing EV infrastructure, especially for those without off‑street charging options, supporting depot charging, and electrifying NHS fleets. The funding includes £25 million for local authority initiatives to expand kerbside charging, £30 million for depot infrastructure, and £8 million to electrify ambulances and medical fleet vehicles at over 200 NHS sites. Importantly, the Energy Saving Trust and Cenex have been tasked with delivering the depot charging programme, expected to support over 3,000 van and 200 HGV chargepoints.

The depot charging scheme, which opened on 16 July 2025, offers reimbursements covering up to 75% of charger procurement and installation costs, capped at £1 million per applicant. While the grant remains open until 28 November 2025 or until funds run out, all installation work must be completed by 31 March 2026, making timing crucial for applicants.

Complementing this, the Zenobē and FSEW collaboration in Cardiff introduced one of Wales’s earliest low carbon freight hubs. Powered entirely by renewables, the hub features four 400kW DC chargers, smart charging software, and supports the operation of Volvo and Mercedes‑Benz electric trucks. FSEW achieved a diesel‑free fleet by end of 2024, cutting 2.4 million diesel kilometres and avoiding 2,400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions a landmark in commercial fleet decarbonisation.

This confluence of government grants, infrastructure expansion, and pioneering industry initiatives suggests that the UK’s move towards net‑zero transport is shifting from pilot schemes to tangible deployment.

What this means:
The expanded Plug‑in Truck Grant dramatically lowers the capital barrier for electric truck adoption, potentially laying the foundation for broader fleet electrification. Meanwhile, the deployment of charging infrastructure both at depots and public sites is essential for operational confidence and logistics planning. Schemes like Wales’s low‑carbon freight hub provide blueprints for scalable, renewable‑powered logistics operations. Taken together, these developments signal the UK’s ambitious shift toward zero‑emission transport across freight, fleet, and public service sectors.

Upcoming Events:
Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference -16 June 2026, Edinburgh

Net Zero Nations Projects Conference – 6 October 2026, Westminster

Do you have technologies, innovations or solutions that can help public‑sector net‑zero projects?
Email: lee@net‑zero.scot