Gridserve’s Electric Freightway and Government Grants Accelerate Green Freight in UK

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

The UK’s green logistics and freight sector is rapidly advancing, driven by recent government investment and pioneering infrastructure projects. In January 2026, Gridserve launched the nation’s first public electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) charging hubs at motorway service areas, Extra Baldock on the A1(M) and Moto Exeter on the M5. These hubs, designed for turn-up-and-charge convenience, feature multiple high-capacity charging bays, safety markings tailored for HGV drivers, and custom signage to enable compatibility across various vehicle models. Funded by the Department for Transport through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme (ZEHID), the Electric Freightway scheme marks a milestone in laying the groundwork for zero-emission freight networks, with five additional hubs due to open later in 2026 .

Simultaneously, government incentives are making electric freight financially viable. In early January 2026, the Department for Transport announced an £18 million top-up to the Plug-in Truck Grant, raising discounts for new electric trucks to up to £120,000. The tiered grant structure offers savings of £20,000 for smaller trucks (4.25–12 t), £60,000 for mid-size (12–18 t), £80,000 for larger trucks (18–26 t), and the maximum amount for the heaviest vehicles (>26 t). This forms part of a wider £318 million green freight support scheme, and comes alongside a consultation on phasing out new non-zero emission HGV sales. These moves aim to give businesses the regulatory clarity needed to invest confidently in electrification and support the UK’s emissions targets.

Earlier in November 2025, the Welsh government partnered with Zemo Partnership to launch the two-year “Moving to Zero” commercial vehicle decarbonisation programme. It focuses on delivering actionable, equitable decarbonisation across Wales’s truck and van fleets, supply chains, and infrastructure. Key elements include stakeholder engagement forums and deployment of ‘no regrets’ measures, those that support emissions reduction while enhancing efficiency and resilience. The initiative builds upon a Zemo report submitted in March 2025 and reflects collaboration between government, transport operators, and energy networks .

Taken together, these developments demonstrate a strategic push across the UK to enable green freight. Public charging infrastructure, financial incentives, and regional initiatives are enabling rapid progress across both infrastructure and policy fronts.

What this means:
These complementary actions, from physical infrastructure to financial support and strategic planning, signal a coherent shift toward a low-carbon logistics sector in the UK. The Electric Freightway hubs offer a practical foundation for electric truck operations; the enhanced grants significantly reduce entry costs, making EVs more accessible to hauliers; and regional programmes like Wales’s Moving to Zero ensure local priorities and equity remain central. Together, they position the UK freight network to decarbonise more swiftly, efficiently, and inclusively.

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