Royal Mail and EV Infrastructure Power UK Decarbonisation of Transport

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Royal Mail has deployed its first eight electric heavy goods vehicles 42‑tonne DAF XD 350E electric HGVs at parcel hubs in the Midlands and North West, replacing diesel vehicles in “middle‑mile” delivery operations. These electric trucks utilise ABB T360 high‑performance chargers capable of adding up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. The installation of these chargers at Daventry and Warrington was enabled by Electric Freightway, backed by over £100 million in investment, including UK government support, as part of the broader ZEHID programme. The move is expected to save around one thousand tonnes of carbon emissions annually and reduce operating costs compared to diesel alternatives. Royal Mail aims for net zero by 2040 and already operates one of the UK’s largest electric van fleets, with more than 7,000 vans charged on site using 100% renewable electricity. Electric Freightway will also support a nationwide public charging network for electric trucks, deploying over 200 chargers up to 350 kW and supporting more than 140 electric trucks across the UK. Data gathered over five years will help accelerate freight sector decarbonisation.

In parallel, demand for new zero‑emission heavy goods vehicles in the UK rose by 59.1% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Despite this growth, zero‑emission HGVs still make up only around 1% of total HGV registrations, with approximately 183 units registered in that period. With a government target that all new HGVs up to 26 tonnes must be zero‑emission by 2035, the market will need rapid expansion to meet future policy expectations.

To meet growing demand for public EV charging, the UK continues to experience record infrastructure growth. In the first half of 2025, a total of 8,670 new public charge points were added  a 27% year‑on‑year increase bringing the national total to 82,369 devices across 40,479 locations. Ultra‑rapid chargers (150 kW+) surged by 23%, now numbering 8,619 installations, and charging hubs, defined as locations with six or more rapid or ultra‑rapid chargers, grew significantly with 136 new hubs added, bringing the total to 673.

By the end of October 2025, the UK’s EV charging network had expanded further to 86,798 charging devices across 44,142 locations  a 22% rise year‑on‑year. Ultra‑rapid chargers grew by nearly 49% over 12 months, now numbering 3,178 added. Rapid and ultra‑rapid chargers total 17,734 across 6,582 locations, with InstaVolt, Tesla and Osprey operating the most high‑power devices. Charging hubs increased to 705, a 31% rise since the end of 2024. Local authorities are also receiving targeted funding through LEVI and CRSTS: Bolton Council will install at least 400 new public charge points by 2027 with £2.3 million in funding, and West Yorkshire Combined Authority has selected Blink Charging to deliver 716 charge points via a £1.4 million programme.

This twin advancement across vehicle deployment and charging infrastructure illustrates the move toward zero‑emission transport in the UK. Royal Mail’s electric HGV rollout showcases real‑world application in freight, while infrastructure expansion supports consumer and commercial EV uptake. Yet HGV electrification still lags, highlighting the need for policy, investment, and industry collaboration.

What this means:
EV freight and public charging infrastructure are accelerating together, each enabling the other’s growth. Royal Mail’s deployment of electric trucks sets a precedent for logistics electrification, while infrastructure expansion ensures that increased vehicle electrification will be supported nationwide. However, the low market share of zero‑emission HGVs underscores the urgency of scaling up supply, policy support, and adoption efforts to meet upcoming targets. Continued government investment and supportive frameworks will be essential to maintain momentum and achieve net‑zero ambitions in transport.

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