UK Freight Goes Green: Grants Grow, Fleets Expand, Hubs Open

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

In recent months, the UK’s freight and logistics sector has taken significant strides towards decarbonisation. The government has bolstered support via increased funding for zero‑emission trucks, while private operators expand their electric fleets and infrastructure takes shape across the country.

A major development came on 6 January 2026, when the government announced an extra £18 million for the Plug‑in Truck Grant, extending it until March 2026. The enhanced funding enables discounts up to £120,000 on new electric trucks, with smaller models saving up to £20,000, mid‑sizes up to £60,000, larger ones up to £80,000, and the biggest over 26 tonnes eligible for the full £120,000 reduction. This forms part of a larger £318 million green freight package aimed at cutting upfront costs and stimulating fleet electrification. The announcement also included a consultation on phasing out non‑zero‑emission HGV sales by 2040, providing clarity for long‑term investment planning.

Retail giants are leading adoption on the ground. Marks & Spencer has deployed 85 zero‑ or low‑emission vehicles, including five battery electric HGVs operating routes from its Welham Green distribution centre to London and the South East. The HGVs Renault 42‑tonne electric trucks delivered via the eFREIGHT 2030 project replace diesel equivalents and contribute to its broader Net Zero by 2040 strategy. Meanwhile, Royal Mail has introduced eight DAF 42‑tonne XD 350E electric HGVs between its Midlands and North West parcel hubs. Equipped with ABB fast chargers that can add 60 miles in under 15 minutes, the new vehicles are expected to cut around 1,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Royal Mail continues to operate one of the UK’s largest electric delivery fleets, with over 7,000 electric vans powered by 100% renewable electricity, as part of the Electric Freightway initiative supported by the ZEHID programme.

On fleet electrification, Amazon has deployed hundreds of electric vehicles across the UK. Its biggest‑ever order of eHGVs has rolled out alongside more than 800 electric vans, with the electric truck fleet expected to total 160 once complete, collectively transporting the equivalent of over 450 Earth circumferences’ worth of products annually. The push aligns with Amazon’s global strategy to decarbonise its operations. Wincanton also made headway, taking delivery of 24 new electric trucks from manufacturers including DAF and Volvo. The anticipated reduction of 2,400 tonnes of CO2 per year will be underpinned by newly installed depot charging infrastructure at key sites, delivered in partnership with Voltempo and Gridserve as part of the Electric Freightway and eFREIGHT 2030 initiatives under ZEHID.

Infrastructure development has kept pace. Voltempo began series production of its HyperCharger megawatt charging systems at Tyseley Energy Park in Birmingham. The HyperCharger, part of the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium backed by the government’s £200 million ZEHID programme, marks a key milestone in freight electrification, bringing domestic manufacturing and innovation to the fore. In Liverpool, the ZENFreight consortium deployed its first electric HGV Volvo FM Electric operating out of Sandhills Business Park with four 360 kWh charging bays enabling up to three delivery cycles per day. This pilot deployment lays the groundwork for a scalable model of electric freight led by DFDS, Dynamon, and others.

Private sector and trade associations are stepping up too. At the Fleet Electrification Forum, the Sustainable Urban Freight Association (SUFA) was launched. SUFA brings together freight providers with a shared vision of ultra‑low emission deliveries. It will champion policy engagement, research, and knowledge sharing to support the decarbonisation of freight operators investing in electric vehicles, cargo bikes, and multimodal solutions.

What this means:
The UK’s freight and logistics sector is accelerating its shift to net‑zero. Government incentives like the expanded Plug‑in Truck Grant are lowering barriers to fleet electrification, while companies like Amazon, M&S, Royal Mail, and Wincanton lead by adopting electric HGVs and vans. Charging infrastructure is catching up, with innovations like Voltempo’s HyperCharger and pilot hubs under ZEHID programmes paving the way for scalable and reliable freight electrification. Meanwhile, SUFA’s launch signifies a growing industry-recognised need for coordinated policy and support.

By combining financial levers, private rollout and infrastructure innovation, the UK is creating a greener logistics ecosystem. With continued investment and collaboration, the sector is well‑placed to deliver a zero‑emission freight future.

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