Public eHGV Charging and Fleet Electrification Accelerate UK Transport Decarbonisation

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

The UK’s transport sector is witnessing rapid transformations as fleet operators and infrastructure providers increasingly commit to electrification, with significant developments in public electric HGV (eHGV) charging and vehicle deployment.

Royal Mail has deployed eight new 42‑tonne DAF XD 350E electric heavy goods vehicles at its Midlands and North West parcel hubs, supported by ABB’s high‑performance chargers capable of delivering up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. These deployments, enabled by the Electric Freightway consortium backed by the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, are projected to save around 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually while reducing operational costs compared to diesel alternatives. Royal Mail already operates one of the UK’s largest electric fleets, featuring over 7,000 vans charged on-site using 100% renewable electricity, as part of its ambition to achieve net zero by 2040.

Complementing fleet electrification, infrastructure expansion is accelerating. GRIDSERVE’s Electric Freightway has launched the UK’s first public eHGV charging hubs at Extra Baldock and Moto Exeter, marking the initial roll‑out of seven such hubs planned for 2026. These ultra‑rapid charging depots represent a milestone in supporting zero‑emission freight operations nationwide.

Meanwhile, Fleete is breaking ground on a 5MW shared‑user charging hub at the Port of Tilbury in Essex. Slated to open by December 2025, the hub will feature 16 rapid chargers capable of supporting large commercial fleet operations 24/7, and is believed to be the UK’s largest dedicated EV charging facility for HGVs and commercial fleets.

On the operational fleet side, Holman has delivered the first 750 electric vans of BT Group’s 3,500‑vehicle order as part of the company’s net‑zero transition by 2031. The fleet includes Toyota Proace Electrics, Vauxhall Vivaro Electrics, and Vauxhall Combo Electrics. Holman managed procurement, fleet lifecycle planning, and operational readiness, achieving cost efficiencies of over £1.8 million within 12 months.

First Bus has also taken a collaborative approach to charging infrastructure. Its First Charge initiative opens depot‑based charging facilities to third parties, allowing public and commercial use. The Glasgow Caledonia depot now offers fast, affordable charging accessible to businesses and the wider public, helping address urgent infrastructure gaps in urban areas for example, for eHGV operators.

Parallel growth in infrastructure is evident across the public charging landscape as well. The UK added 8,670 new EV charge‑points in the first half of 2025—an increase of 27% year‑on‑year bringing the total to over 82,300 devices across more than 40,400 locations. Rapid and ultra‑rapid hubs remain a focus, with 136 new such hubs installed in H1, lifting the total to 673 nationwide. Regional growth is notable, with Scotland up 29% in high‑power charger installations and the North West up 21%. On‑street chargers rose by over 25% outside Greater London.

The third quarter of 2025 saw continued expansion: 3,928 new public charge‑points were added, a 22% increase year‑on‑year, reaching 86,021 devices at 43,507 locations. Ultra‑rapid chargers (>150 kW) numbered 9,290 51% more than a year earlier with 212 new charging hubs added. On‑street infrastructure also grew substantially outside London at 31% year‑on‑year.

Moreover, disparities in EV fleet adoption remain across local authorities. FOI data indicates that Bristol (44.5%) and Liverpool (43.3%) lead in fleet electrification, while Transport for London trails with only 3.2% of heavy goods vehicles and vans electric.

What this means:
The UK’s transport decarbonisation journey is gathering pace through a two‑pronged approach: electrifying fleets at scale and building the charging infrastructure to support them. Fleet operators like Royal Mail and BT Group are setting ambitious net‑zero targets that are backed by substantial deployments of electric HGVs and vans. Meanwhile, charging infrastructure public and depot‑based is expanding rapidly, with strategic investments such as Electric Freightway hubs and Fleete’s Port of Tilbury facility poised to unlock new operational capabilities for freight and logistics. The growth of rapid and ultra‑rapid networks highlights that the infrastructure ecosystem is adapting in complexity and reach. Yet regional disparities persist, notably within municipal fleets, underscoring the need for targeted support to ensure equitable access and progress.

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