Royal Mail and Port of Tilbury Drive Forward Net‑Zero Transport

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Over recent months the UK further cemented its net‑zero transport credentials through advancements in decarbonising freight and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) networks. Two key developments underscore the momentum: Royal Mail’s deployment of electric HGVs across parcel hubs, and the launch of a shared charging hub for electric commercial vehicles at the Port of Tilbury.

Royal Mail has introduced eight DAF 42‑tonne XD 350E fully electric HGVs into its Midlands and North West parcel hub operations. These vehicles are powered using high‑performance T360 chargers capable of delivering up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. This deployment is expected to cut approximately 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, while also reducing operational costs. The vehicles operate as part of the Electric Freightway network, supported by over £100 million in investment including more than £62 million from government funding and the broader Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme. The initiative aligns with Royal Mail’s target to achieve net‑zero by 2040 and further builds on its existing electric delivery fleet, which already comprises over 7,000 vans charged using 100% renewable energy.

Meanwhile, at the Port of Tilbury, Fleete has begun constructing a major electric charging hub aimed at serving commercial EV fleets. Backed by £1 million in Freeport seed capital funding, the facility will offer 5 MW of charging capacity across 16 rapid chargers, designed to accommodate up to 16 electric HGVs simultaneously. Twelve of these will be ultra‑fast chargers delivering up to 360 kW, optimised for heavy commercial vehicles, while the remaining four will use the Voltempo HyperCharging megawatt system. The hub is expected to enhance grid use via intelligent energy management, boosting air quality, energy efficiency and clean transport economic opportunity in the region.

These projects are emblematic of a broader trend: expanding EV infrastructure and fleet electrification in freight and heavy transport. Such initiatives enable carriers to slash greenhouse gas emissions, improve local air quality and reduce reliance on diesel.

The UK’s public charging network is also expanding rapidly. More than 100,000 public EV charge points are now operational across the country installed at a rate of approximately one every 13 minutes over the past six months. Rapid and ultra‑rapid chargers now account for nearly 24% of the total, with current roll‑out continuing to align with the goal of phasing out new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.

Advances in battery and charging technology further support this transition. New solutions that reduce charge times and improve battery management are making zero‑emission fleets ever more viable for logistics operations.

What this means:
The electric HGV rollout by Royal Mail, together with the development of a shared rapid charging hub at the Port of Tilbury, reflect tangible progress on net‑zero freight transport. By integrating high‑performance vehicles with scalable, strategic infrastructure, the UK is strengthening its low‑carbon transport ecosystem and supporting broader economic resilience.

The expansion of public EV charging infrastructure underscores the parallel growth of consumer and commercial readiness for electric mobility, reinforcing the ecosystem across both light and heavy vehicles.

These developments bring the UK closer to its 2030 fossil fuel vehicle phase‑out deadline, while laying the groundwork for a decarbonised logistics network.

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