UK Accelerates Green Logistics with eHGVs, Freight Hubs and Depot Charging Grants

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

In recent months, the UK logistics and freight sector has seen a wave of high‑impact green developments, pushing forward the nation’s net‑zero goals through electrification, infrastructure innovation and collaborative investment.

Royal Mail has introduced eight new 42‑tonne electric HGVs from DAF, deployed at parcel hubs in the Midlands and North West. These vehicles, which operate ‘middle‑mile’ routes between parcel hubs and mail centres, are powered by high‑performance chargers capable of adding up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. Together, the move is expected to cut around one thousand tonnes of carbon emissions annually and reduce operating costs versus diesel alternatives. This progress forms part of Royal Mail’s strategy to reach net‑zero by 2040. Additionally, over 7,000 electric vans in its fleet are already charged on‑site using fully renewable electricity. The deployment has been made possible through the Electric Freightway consortium, backed by more than £100 million in funding, including substantial UK government support.

Meanwhile, the ZENFreight consortium, under the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, has rolled out its first electric HGV into service. DFDS has introduced a Volvo FM Electric vehicle from its Sandhills Business Park depot in Liverpool, operating a closed‑loop route between a local fulfilment centre and Liverpool Port. The facility includes four high‑capacity charging bays delivering 360 kWh each, allowing full recharge in two hours and enabling the truck to complete three to four delivery cycles daily. This marks a key milestone in operational electric freight, showcasing a model for wider rollout across supply chains.

On a regional level, the Scottish Government has launched a £2 million HGV Market Readiness Fund for 2025‑26. The initiative is designed to support operators, manufacturers, financiers and charging providers in cooperating to drive HGV decarbonisation and boost economic development. Half of this funding is earmarked to support smaller operators, ensuring equitable access to low carbon transition.

FSEW, a global freight forwarding company, is establishing one of the UK’s first low carbon freight hubs in Cardiff. Together with infrastructure partner Zenobē, FSEW will deploy four 400 kW DC chargers and smart charging software, expandable across the site. The hub will run on renewable energy and supports new orders of electric trucks from Volvo and Mercedes‑Benz, bringing FSEW’s fleet of fully electric trucks to five. They have already eliminated 2.4 million diesel kilometres and cut around 2,400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. This is part of FSEW’s strategy to become entirely diesel‑free by 2024, using electric and biomethane vehicles.

The scope of electric vehicle adoption is growing. Registrations of zero‑emission HGVs rose by 59.1% in the first half of 2025 compared with the prior year, reaching about 183 units but representing only 1% of the market. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) emphasises that while product variety is increasing, high upfront costs and limited depot infrastructure remain barriers. In response, the government’s Depot Charging Scheme offers support for charging infrastructure, though long grid connection delays remain a serious challenge.

The momentum accelerated further in Q3 2025: zero‑emission HGV uptake surged by 341%, with 225 units registered, representing a record high of 2.4% market share. Year‑to‑date volumes hit 408 units, up nearly 146% year on year. The SMMT acknowledged these gains as significant but stressed the need for faster infrastructure roll‑out particularly fast‑tracking grid connections for depots to sustain growth and support operators facing tight margins.

Finally, the UK government’s charging infrastructure support is reaching fleets directly. A Depot Charging Scheme, to be administered under a partnership between Cenex and the Energy Saving Trust, opened in July 2025. The grant will cover up to 75% of procurement and installation costs for chargepoints, capped at £1 million per site, available until funding runs out or November 28, 2025. This support aims to build confidence in the sector and drive widespread adoption of zero‑emission vehicles.

What this means:
This string of developments illustrates that the green logistics transition is accelerating, driven by real‑world deployment, government funding, and strategic infrastructure projects. Royal Mail’s early rollout of electric HGVs proves fleet electrification is viable for major operators. ZENFreight’s closed‑loop model and FSEW’s low carbon freight hub offer replicable blueprints for regional green logistics facilities. Scotland’s readiness fund ensures SMEs are not left behind. However, the rapid increase in zero‑emission HGV registrations highlights both demand and the urgency of addressing infrastructure bottlenecks. Enhanced grant schemes like the Depot Charging Scheme will be vital but grid reform and fast‑track connections must follow to remove systemic barriers.

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