UK Freight Sector Accelerates Green Logistics Transition

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

In recent months, the UK’s logistics and freight sector has seen marked progress across multiple fronts from heavy goods vehicles to urban delivery networks and supporting infrastructure. These developments reflect a mounting push to decarbonise the sector by 2040 and beyond.

One of the most visible shifts involves operators deploying electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) at scale. Royal Mail, for instance, has introduced eight DAF 42-tonne XD 350E electric trucks into service at its Midlands and North West parcel hubs. These vehicles use ABB high-performance T360 chargers, capable of adding up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. This step is expected to eliminate around one thousand tonnes of carbon emissions every year and lower operating costs compared to diesel alternatives. This rollout is part of Royal Mail’s broader ambition to reach net zero by 2040, supported by its membership of the Electric Freightway initiative, backed by over £100 million of investment, including £62.7 million of UK government funding.

Likewise, supply chain provider Wincanton has taken delivery of 24 electric trucks from major manufacturers DAF, Volvo and Renault Trucks each exceeding 40 tonnes. These vehicles are anticipated to cut the company’s CO₂ emissions by approximately 2,400 tonnes annually. Wincanton is also installing depot-based charging infrastructure at key sites, in collaboration with Voltempo and Gridserve, to support the electrified fleet. This initiative is part of the Electric Freightway and eFREIGHT 2030 consortia, under the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, co-funded by the Department for Transport and Innovate UK.

Retailer Marks & Spencer has similarly expanded its decarbonisation efforts by integrating 85 zero or low-emission vehicles into its supply chain. Notably, five 42-tonne battery electric Renault HGVs now operate between M&S’s distribution centre in Welham Green and 30 stores across the South East. This rollout is also part of the eFREIGHT 2030 project and aligns with M&S’s Plan A roadmap to net zero by 2040.

Hydrogen fuel cell HGVs are entering the mix. ZENFreight has brought John G Russell (Transport) Ltd into its consortium. Russell will trial three MAN battery electric HGVs alongside three Scania hydrogen-electric fuel cell vehicles. The project, under ZEHID, places hydrogen alongside battery electric models for comparative real-world performance and includes the deployment of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure at Russell’s depot near Glasgow.

Delivering decarbonisation also requires infrastructure expansion. Fleete has broken ground on what is believed to become the UK’s largest dedicated EV HGV charging hub at the Port of Tilbury, Essex. Scheduled to open in December 2025, this 5 MW shared-user hub will offer 16 rapid chargers, 24/7 availability and be capable of serving large fleet operations. Furthermore, the Plug-in Truck Grant has been expanded with an additional £18 million for 2025/26, offering discounts up to £120,000 on new electric trucks. This scheme will run until March 2026 and comes alongside a consultation on phasing out new non-zero-emission HGV sales by 2040 providing clearer investment signals for the industry.

On the strategic front, the government has designated the locations of 54 zero-emission HGV infrastructure hubs across the UK under Innovate UK’s ZEHID programme. These sites include megawatt charging stations and hydrogen-enabled facilities to support various commercial applications. In parallel, a newly published Electric Freightway report suggests that participating fleets have now surpassed half a million zero-emission miles. It also finds that eHGVs could reach total cost of ownership parity with diesel vehicles within five years highlighting the economic as well as environmental benefits of this transition.

What this means:
The trajectory for green logistics and freight in the UK is clear. Commercial operators are embracing electric and hydrogen HGVs, supported by significant public funding, emerging infrastructure and demonstrator projects. Coupled with financial incentives like grants and infrastructure build-out, this creates a powerful, self-reinforcing momentum.
These developments are helping to align industry practice with both government net zero targets and broader environmental imperatives. As charging and hydrogen infrastructure expands, early operational data is already demonstrating both emissions reduction and cost-saving potential key to achieving net zero freight by 2040.

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