UK Green Freight Accelerates: Electric & Hydrogen HGVs Lead the Way

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

Across the UK logistics and freight sector, pioneering steps are underway to drive down carbon emissions through the deployment of zero‑ and low‑emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), expansion of charging and hydrogen infrastructure, and collaboration across industry and government.

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has introduced 85 zero‑ or lower‑emission vehicles into its supply‑chain fleet as part of its Plan A roadmap toward Net Zero by 2040. This includes five battery‑electric Renault trucks operating between Welham Green and London‑area stores, alongside 30 biomethane‑fuelled compressed natural gas rigs and additional low‑emission vehicles. Once operational, nearly 10 % of M&S’s transport fleet will utilise cleaner‑burn or zero‑emission technologies replaced equivalent diesel trucks.

Carrying forward that initiative, Renault Trucks and M&S marked six months of success with their deployment of five E‑Tech electric HGVs delivering from Welham Green to 20 stores across the South East.

Elsewhere, Wincanton has received 24 battery‑electric trucks from DAF, Volvo, and Renault, capable of operating in excess of 40 tonnes. The rollout connects to depot charging sites at key locations including Greenford, Portbury, Scotland Gateway and Northamptonshire. This move is expected to save approximately 2,400 tonnes of CO₂ annually as part of the Electric Freightway and eFREIGHT 2030 initiatives under the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme.

Royal Mail has introduced eight DAF XD 350E electric HGVs at Midlands and North West hubs, utilising ABB fast chargers that deliver up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. This enhances middle‑mile services and is projected to save around 1,000 tonnes of carbon per year, underpinning its ambition to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Supporting the shift to zero‑emission freight, demand for new zero‑emission HGVs surged 59.1 % in the first half of 2025 compared with the previous year, with 183 units registered now capturing roughly 1 % market share. However, overall HGV registrations declined 11 %, highlighting the need for more rapid uptake to meet the UK’s goal of all new HGVs up to 26 tonnes being zero‑emission by 2035.

Recognising the need for guidance and coordination, the Welch Group launched its “12 Pillars of Change” through the TwentyForty innovation platform. The initiative brings together twelve industry leaders to establish a practical, industry‑led roadmap for zero‑emission freight by 2040 .

Hydrogen is also gaining traction: ZENFreight’s consortium, including John G Russell (Transport) Ltd, is trialling three battery‑electric and three hydrogen‑electric HGVs, alongside depot‑based charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure at their Coatbridge site. This enables direct comparison of BEV and HFCEV performance in real‑world operations.

Furthermore, Network Rail, Freightliner, GeoPura, and others achieved a milestone transporting hydrogen by rail for the first time on Britain’s rail network. Conducted between Doncaster and High Marnham, the demonstration showcased hydrogen’s potential as both a fuel for rail operations and as a means of transport for clean energy, supported by the UK’s largest green hydrogen production site at HyMarnham Power.

What this means:
This wave of deployment across electric and hydrogen HGVs signals a tangible shift in UK freight logistics toward net‑zero operations. With fleet operators such as M&S, Wincanton, Royal Mail, and John G Russell investing in zero‑emission vehicles and supporting infrastructure, we’re witnessing real progress towards decarbonisation targets. The surge in registrations and structured roadmaps like the Welch Group’s pillars provide strategic momentum. However, to meet the 2035 and 2040 goals, adoption must scale significantly faster across all fleets. Collaboration in setting standards, infrastructure deployment and evaluating emerging technologies will be critical in swiftly transitioning the sector to zero emission.

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