UK Freight Sector Charges Ahead: Electric Trucks, HVO and Policy Support Drive Decarbonisation

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

In the UK’s green logistics landscape, the freight sector is witnessing tangible progress as operators adopt zero‑emission and low‑carbon vehicles, backed by significant government support and emerging infrastructure.

Royal Mail has introduced eight new 42‑tonne XD 350E electric HGVs at its Midlands and North West parcel hubs, replacing diesel trucks with zero‑emission alternatives. These DAF electric trucks are supported by high‑performance chargers, adding up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. Expected to save around one thousand tonnes of carbon emissions annually, this rollout leverages membership in the Electric Freightway consortium and positions Royal Mail firmly on its path to net zero by 2040.

Similarly, Wincanton has added 24 battery‑electric trucks to its fleet supplied by DAF, Volvo, and Renault—which will reduce its CO₂ output by approximately 2,400 tonnes annually. Depot‑based charging infrastructure is being deployed across key locations in West London, Portbury, its Scotland Gateway near Glasgow, and Northamptonshire, in partnership with Voltempo and Gridserve. This forms part of Wincanton’s broader commitment to decarbonise its logistics and participate in Electric Freightway and eFREIGHT 2030 under the ZEHID programme.

Marks & Spencer has also progressed its Plan A roadmap, introducing 85 zero or lower‑emission vehicles into its logistics operations. This includes five electric HGVs replacing diesel trucks between its Welham Green distribution centre and stores across London and the South East, and additional trucks powered by compressed biomethane‑derived natural gas. Once fully deployed, nearly 10% of M&S’s transport fleet will be low or zero‑emission. M&S is also among the founding participants of eFREIGHT 2030, gaining insights from real‑world electric HGV performance.

On the cross‑Channel front, the first electric HGVs have successfully passed through the Channel Tunnel, thanks to a partnership involving Kuehne+Nagel, LeShuttle Freight, Voltempo, and DAF Trucks. Operating under eFREIGHT 2030, this initiative demonstrates the practicality and potential for sustainable cross‑Channel freight. The Channel Tunnel’s electrically powered infrastructure makes this zero‑emission journey both efficient and scalable.

Meanwhile, the ZENFreight consortium has achieved a significant milestone by deploying its first eHGV: a Volvo FM Electric, operating a closed‑loop route between a fulfilment centre and Liverpool Port. Supported by a four‑bay 360 kWh rapid‑charging site developed at Sandhills Business Park, this marks the consortium’s first live deployment of electric freight under the ZEHID programme.

Infrastructure expansion continues with GRIDSERVE opening the UK’s first public charging hubs for eHGVs at Extra Baldock and Moto Exeter. These are part of the Electric Freightway programme and represent the first of seven planned public hubs for 2026. Funded under ZEHID, the roll‑out highlights the push toward a publicly accessible charging network for electric heavy goods vehicles.

From a policy perspective, government support is accelerating adoption. An additional £18 million in the Plug‑in Truck Grant part of a £318 million package for green freight now delivers up to £120,000 discounts for the purchase of electric trucks, depending on vehicle weight category. This financial support is expected to boost zero‑emission truck sales and improve daily operating costs for hauliers and fleet operators.

Moreover, the Electric Freightway project has surpassed half a million zero‑emission miles across participating fleets, while early data suggests total cost of ownership parity with diesel vehicles could be achieved within five years. The consortium includes major operators such as Amazon, Royal Mail, GXO, and Wincanton, underscoring the scale and collaboration driving this green freight transition.

What this means:

We are witnessing a moment of real momentum. Major logistics players including Royal Mail, Wincanton, M&S, DFDS via ZENFreight, and cross‑Channel partners are not only introducing zero‑emission vehicles but also investing in the necessary infrastructure to support them. Government funding and grants, particularly under the ZEHID programme and Plug‑in Truck Grant, are acting as catalysts, helping to lower barriers to adoption.

The convergence of fleet decarbonisation, charging infrastructure, and financial incentives is creating a virtuous circle: operators gain practical experience, data accumulates to validate investment, future TCO becomes competitive, and a public charging ecosystem begins to take shape.

These developments signal that green logistics in the UK has leapt from theoretical commitment to tangible delivery.

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