Net-zero fleets urged to retrofit EV vans with hydrogen funding

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. In a significant step towards the commercial electrification of road haulage, Net Zero News can reveal that Vestel Mobility has today unveiled an ambitious programme to accelerate the uptake of electric vans and trucks across the UK market.

The announcement comes from Sally Bailey, Head of EVC Sales UK at Vestel Mobility, who outlined the firm’s new Fleet Electrification Initiative at a high-profile transport and energy summit in London on 20 October 2025. The initiative targets small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large logistics operators, offering turnkey solutions for converting diesel fleets to fully electric operation by the end of 2026.

Vestel Mobility’s Fleet Electrification Initiative builds on the company’s existing expertise in vehicle conversion and charging infrastructure. The plan provides end-to-end support, from assessment and procurement of electric drivetrains to installation of depot charging systems and integration with telematics platforms. This marks a crucial addition to the UK’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which aims to phase out sales of new diesel vans by 2035 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions from road transport by 2050.

The technical package includes mid-power and high-power charging units capable of delivering up to 150kW per vehicle, optimised for rapid turnaround. Supported by smart-grid software, fleets will be able to schedule charging during off-peak hours to smooth demand on the network. Net Zero News understands this forms part of a broader ecosystem involving energy suppliers, local authorities and technology partners to ensure resilience and scalability.

The move matters because road freight accounts for nearly a fifth of the UK’s transport emissions. By electrifying commercial vehicles, the Initiative is expected to cut some 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2028. Job creation is another positive outlook, as new roles emerge in conversion workshops, charging hub maintenance and software support. Early trials in Manchester and Bristol have demonstrated fuel cost savings of up to 60%, while local air quality improvements meet stringent city-region targets.

A total of £60 million of new investment has been pledged for the first phase. Of this, £25 million comes from a Department for Transport low-emission grants scheme, with the balance provided by private sector backers, including national grid operator Western Power Distribution and infrastructure specialist ABB. Vestel Mobility will work alongside Cenex as delivery partner, with deployment co-ordinated through seven regional innovation centres.

Net Zero News understands that the Vehicle Certification Agency and local councils have already begun fast-tracking planning consents for depot charging installations. This integrated funding and delivery model is hailed as a template for future low-carbon transport projects, complementing ongoing work on hydrogen refuelling stations and offshore wind grid reinforcement, as detailed in our earlier coverage of the UK Hydrogen Strategy (https://news.net-zeroclub.co.uk/hydrogen-strategy-launch).

This initiative aligns with the government’s Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy and the Zero Emission HGV Mandate under consultation. It also supports local net-zero plans such as Greater Manchester’s ambition to reduce transport-related emissions by 50% by 2030. Net Zero News readers may also be interested in our recent analysis on grid investments needed to underpin rapid electrification (https://news.net-zeroclub.co.uk/grid-upgrades-investment).

Communities and businesses across urban and rural locations stand to gain as charging hubs are sited in underutilised warehouses and commercial estates. Smaller hauliers will benefit from cooperative leasing models, while larger operators can forecast total cost of ownership reductions of up to 40%. Training schemes launched in partnership with local colleges will upskill technicians and drivers, ensuring the workforce can support a growing electric commercial vehicle market.

Looking ahead, Vestel Mobility plans to complete the first 1,000 vehicle conversions by summer 2026, before scaling up to 5,000 units in the following year. A nationwide rollout of 50 high-power charging sites is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2027, pending final grid approvals. Participants are being invited to the Electric Vehicle Transition Summit (https://www.net-zeroclub.co.uk/events/evc-transition-summit-2025) where further details will be shared in November.

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