UK Green Freight Accelerates: Electric Trucks, Charging Hubs and Sector Collaboration

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The UK’s freight sector has seen a surge in green logistics developments in recent months, including expanded government support, strategic infrastructure projects and industry‑wide collaboration to decarbonise heavy goods transport.

Government backing has boosted the Plug‑in Truck Grant with an additional £18 million to extend the scheme until March 2026, enabling hauliers to access discounts of up to £120,000 on new electric trucks. Smaller trucks (4.25‑12 t) can benefit by up to £20,000; mid‑sized (12–18 t) up to £60,000; larger (18–26 t) up to £80,000; and the largest lorries (26 t+) up to £120,000. The move forms part of a wider £318 million green freight package, and includes a consultation on phasing out sales of non‑zero‑emission HGVs by 2040.

Major logistics players are implementing electric fleets. Royal Mail has rolled out eight electric 42‑tonne DAF XD 350E HGVs at its Midlands and North West parcel hubs, supported by high‑performance chargers capable of adding up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. These vehicles are projected to cut about 1,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Charging infrastructure comes from ABB, and the rollout forms part of the Electric Freightway consortium and the wider Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme .

Supply chain operator Wincanton has taken delivery of its first 24 electric trucks from DAF, Volvo and Renault, expected to reduce its annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 2,400 tonnes. The firm is also upgrading depot charging capabilities at strategic locations in West London, Scotland, and Northampton shire via partners Voltempo and Gridserve, under both Electric Freightway and eFREIGHT 2030 initiatives within the ZEHID framework.

Infrastructure development is accelerating. Fleete has broken ground on the UK’s largest shared commercial EV charging hub at the Port of Tilbury. The 5 MW facility will provide 16 rapid chargers using Heliox and Voltempo technology and is expected to go live by December 2025. Funded in part through £1 million of government Freeport seed capital and backed by public‑private partnerships, the hub will help serve thousands of HGVs passing through the port each day .

Another important expansion is the opening of Milence’s first UK public charging hub in Immingham. Positioned on the A180 with access to major motorways, the site offers four CCS chargers across eight bays, delivering up to 400 kW. It features amenities for drivers and 100% green energy supply. Milence intends this to be a stepping stone to build a much larger high‑performance charging network, aiming for at least 1,700 points across the UK and Europe by 2027.

Aegis Energy has launched its Aegis Trailblazers initiative, offering fleet operators early adopters’ perks such as discounted electric charging rates, networking opportunities and input into infrastructure planning. The firm plans to launch its first multi‑energy refuelling hub in 2026, growing to five by 2027 and 30 by the end of the decade

On the policy and sector collaboration front, the Sustainable Urban Freight Association (SUFA) has been launched to champion ultra‑low emission freight in urban environments. Founded by freight operators and supported by a health charity, the association will provide government engagement, research, and knowledge sharing, and counts large logistics providers among its founding members.

What this means:
These developments reflect a concerted shift in the UK’s freight sector moving from pilot projects to tangible infrastructure and policy action. Financial incentives are easing the high upfront cost of electric trucks, while large-scale charging hubs and collaborative support efforts are addressing infrastructure gaps. With both public and private sectors aligning around net‑zero logistics, the UK is establishing a foundation for broader adoption of zero‑emission freight operations.

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