UK Logistics Accelerate Decarbonisation with Electric and Hydrogen Fleets

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Marks & Spencer has significantly boosted its low‑carbon logistics capabilities, introducing 85 zero‑ or lower‑emission vehicles into its fleet. Of these, five are battery‑electric 42‑tonne Renault trucks operating from its distribution centre at Welham Green to 30 stores across London and the South East. An additional 30 biomethane‑powered compressed natural gas vehicles are servicing clothing and home logistics, alongside 50 4×2 vehicles for food distribution. Once fully deployed, nearly 10 per cent of the retailer’s transport fleet will operate on zero‑ or lower‑emission technologies, as part of its Plan A roadmap to Net Zero by 2040. These vehicles were delivered through the eFREIGHT 2030 project under the government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme.

Royal Mail has advanced its decarbonisation strategy by rolling out eight DAF XD 350E 42‑tonne electric HGVs at its Midlands and North West parcel hubs. These will operate on ‘middle‑mile’ routes, supported by ABB T360 chargers that can add up to 60 miles of range in under 15 minutes. Through its involvement in the Electric Freightway initiative within the ZEHID programme, Royal Mail is also building out high‑speed charger infrastructure at Daventry and Warrington. The deployment is expected to save approximately one thousand tonnes of carbon annually, contributing to Royal Mail’s Net Zero by 2040 target and building on its existing fleet of over 7,000 electric vans powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.

Wincanton has taken delivery of 24 new electric trucks from DAF, Volvo and Renault as part of its efforts to reach Net Zero by 2040. These vehicles, exceeding 40 tonnes, are anticipated to cut the company’s CO₂ emissions by about 2,400 tonnes annually. To support this electrified fleet, depot‑based charging infrastructure is being installed at key sites including Greenford, Portbury, Scotland Gateway near Glasgow, and The WEB in Northamptonshire, with support from Voltempo and Gridserve. This initiative forms part of Wincanton’s participation in the Electric Freightway and eFREIGHT 2030 consortia under the ZEHID programme.

On the infrastructure front, Voltempo has commenced series production of its HyperCharger megawatt charging system at its Birmingham facility. This marks a milestone in delivering high‑power charging infrastructure tailored for zero‑emission road freight. The facility’s opening, officiated by Sir Vince Cable, underlines the central role of charging infrastructure in enabling the UK’s shift to zero‑emission HGV operations under the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium.

Meanwhile, uptake of zero‑emission HGVs in the UK continues to surge. Registrations rose by 341.2 per cent to 225 units in Q3, setting a new quarterly record and achieving a 2.4 per cent market share. Year‑to‑date volumes have reached 408 units, up 145.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) emphasises that this growth reflects notable product rollout, but also highlights the need for better access to charging and refuelling infrastructure, especially for depot‑based operators. What This Means:
This quarter’s developments underscore rapid momentum in UK logistics decarbonisation. Fleet operators from retail giants to national postal services are integrating electric and low‑carbon vehicles, backed by innovative charging infrastructure and government‑led demonstration programmes. The rising adoption of zero‑emission HGVs highlights improving technology availability and operator confidence. However, sustained progress hinges on continued investment in infrastructure and long‑term policy certainty to support scale‑up and broader sector transformation.

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