Zemo to lead £1m Welsh net-zero retrofit, hydrogen & EV funding

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Net Zero News can reveal that the Welsh Government has appointed Zemo Partnership to lead a two-year, £1 million programme to accelerate the decarbonisation of the commercial vehicle sector.

Earlier this month, the Welsh Government formalised its collaboration with Zemo Partnership, a not-for-profit organisation specialising in low-emission transport solutions. The initiative will run across Wales from the appointment date and is explicitly designed to speed up the shift of freight and service fleets away from diesel and towards zero-emission alternatives.

In recent years, Wales has set out ambitious targets to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to cut transport emissions by at least 27 per cent by 2030. The commercial vehicle sector currently accounts for a substantial share of road transport emissions in Wales, with haulage, logistics and local service fleets still predominantly reliant on diesel power. In appointing Zemo Partnership, the Welsh Government is seeking specialist expertise to overcome the economic and technical barriers that have so far hindered rapid uptake of electric and hydrogen commercial vehicles.

Zemo Partnership, formerly known as the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, has a track record of working with government bodies and industry stakeholders to design and deliver decarbonisation strategies. Over the next two years, the organisation will provide tailored support to fleet operators, local authorities and infrastructure providers. This will include feasibility studies, stakeholder workshops, technical guidance on vehicle procurement, and recommendations for charging and refuelling infrastructure roll-out. Net Zero News understands this forms part of the Welsh Government’s broader transport decarbonisation strategy, which aims to stimulate market confidence in zero-emission vehicles while protecting economic competitiveness in the haulage sector.

The significance of this programme extends beyond Wales. In a significant step towards the UK’s net-zero goals, accelerating the uptake of zero-emission commercial vehicles can deliver meaningful reductions in tailpipe emissions, improve air quality in urban centres and support the growth of clean technologies. By focusing on the often overlooked commercial segment, the programme could unlock new economies of scale for vehicle makers, chargepoint operators and hydrogen producers, driving down costs and fostering a sustainable supply chain across the UK.

Funding for the initiative comes directly from the Welsh Government’s transport decarbonisation budget. Zemo Partnership will work in close partnership with regional transport consortia, local authorities and private sector hauliers, drawing on a network of stakeholders to ensure practical solutions are identified and implemented. The total investment of £1 million will cover programme management, technical consultancy, data analysis and stakeholder engagement sessions. Collaboration with private charging infrastructure businesses and energy network operators will also be critical to deliver on-the-ground projects.

This appointment sits alongside the Welsh Government’s wider climate policy framework, including the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act and the latest Net Zero Wales plan. It complements UK-wide policies such as the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the Heavy Duty Vehicle Strategy, and aligns with ongoing discussions at the UK government level on mandating zero-emission vehicles on short-haul freight routes by the end of the decade.

Communities across Wales stand to benefit from cleaner air and quieter streets as more commercial vehicles transition to electric or hydrogen power. The programme is also expected to generate new skills and job opportunities in EV maintenance, hydrogen refuelling station operation and smart charging services. However, challenges remain in managing upfront vehicle costs, securing grid connections for high-power chargers and building a long-term commercial case for fleet operators to invest in new technologies.

Over the next 24 months, Zemo Partnership will report back to the Welsh Government on progress against key milestones, including the number of fleets transitioned, infrastructure deployments completed and emissions savings achieved. Findings and best practice guidance will be shared publicly to support replication in other regions and sectors.

Net Zero News is powered by the Net Zero Club.

Join the UK’s fastest-growing net-zero community.

Upcoming Events:

Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference – Edinburgh

Net Zero Nations Projects Conference – Westminster, London

Got a net-zero project to share? Email: lee@net-zero.scot