UK Freight Goes Green: Electric HGVs, Grants and Association Launches

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

In recent months, the UK freight sector has made notable strides towards decarbonisation through policy support, infrastructure roll‑out and industry collaboration. Several leading logistics operators have deployed zero‑emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), while government and industry bodies are investing in charging infrastructure, funding and advocacy to accelerate the transition to net zero freight.

Royal Mail has introduced eight new electric 42‑tonne DAF XD 350E HGVs at its Midlands and North West parcel hubs, replacing diesel trucks for middle‑mile deliveries. Each is supported by high‑performance chargers capable of adding up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. This deployment is expected to save around one thousand tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Royal Mail’s efforts are backed by the Electric Freightway consortium under the government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, with over £100 million in investment and £62.7 million in government funding.

Meanwhile, another major milestone comes from Wincanton, which has received its first batch of 24 electric HGVs from manufacturers including DAF, Volvo and Renault. These trucks are projected to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 2,400 tonnes per year. Deployment is accompanied by the rollout of depot‑based charging infrastructure across key sites such as West London, Scotland Gateway near Glasgow, Portbury and Northamptonshire, developed in partnership with Voltempo and Gridserve under the Electric Freightway and eFREIGHT 2030 consortia.

Another energy‑intensive operator, DFDS via the ZENFreight consortium, has deployed its first electric HGV  a Volvo FM Electric on a closed‑loop route between a Merseyside FMCG fulfilment centre and Liverpool Port. The Sandhills Business Park depot now features four high‑capacity 360 kWh charging bays. The vehicle can fully recharge in two hours and complete multiple delivery cycles per day. This operational proof point is part of the wider ZEHID programme, supported by £200 million in government funding.

The surge in zero‑emission vehicle uptake is also reflected in broader market trends. Registrations of zero‑emission HGVs increased 59.1 % in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, reaching approximately 183 units and capturing around a 1 % market share. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders noted this upward trajectory, but emphasised that uptake must grow rapidly to meet the UK target of zero‑emission sales for HGVs up to 26 tonnes by 2035.

Beyond vehicles themselves, policy and industry alignment are critical. The government recently allocated an additional £18 million to the Plug‑in Truck Grant, offering discounts of up to £120,000 on new electric trucks through March 2026. The package is part of a broader £318 million green freight plan, which also includes a consultation on the regulatory roadmap to phase out sales of new non‑zero‑emission HGVs by 2040 designed to provide industry certainty.

At the institutional level, the Sustainable Urban Freight Association (SUFA) has launched to advocate for ultra‑low‑emission freight in urban areas. Founded at the Fleet Electrification Forum, SUFA is backed by founding members ranging from national operators to cargo bike businesses, and funded by Impact on Urban Health. It will advance policy engagement, research and networking opportunities to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, cargo bikes and multimodal solutions.

Despite these advances, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) highlights ongoing concerns. A survey revealed that 70 % of HGV operators currently have no plans to introduce zero‑emission vehicles, and barriers include limited driving range, high purchase costs and payload loss due to battery weight. Only 9 % have electric HGVs now, and 14 % plan to introduce them within five years.

What this means:
The UK freight sector is clearly ramping up its net zero efforts through targeted deployment of electric HGVs, financial incentives and industry collaboration platforms. Royal Mail, Wincanton and DFDS exemplify logistical innovation backed by charging infrastructure and government funding. Market signals show accelerating uptake, though it remains nascent. Continued success will require expanding infrastructure, financing support, and policy clarity especially to address operator hesitation, address cost and range concerns, and enable a broader transition across the industry.

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