Electric HGVs: Are UK Hauliers Ready for the Transition?

The shift towards electric heavy goods vehicles is gathering pace across the UK, driven by the UK government’s net-zero targets and shifting commercial priorities; however, major challenges remain before the haulage sector can fully adopt zero-emission freight.

Why Electric HGVs Matter

Heavy goods vehicles may make up only around 5 % of road vehicles, yet they contribute an outsized ~20 % of transport emissions. Switching diesel lorries to electric models is seen as a central pillar of UK efforts to decarbonise freight and cut air pollution, aligning with broader net-zero goals for 2050.

At the policy level, the UK government has signalled a clear direction: all new HGV sales are expected to be zero-emission models by 2040, with flexibility for both battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies to play a role.

Progress on the Ground

There are encouraging signs of progress:

• Charging infrastructure is expanding.
  Projects such as Gridserve’s Electric Freightway are building the first publicly accessible eHGV charging hubs at key motorway junctions — enabling articulated trucks to charge with drive-through access and ultra-rapid systems suitable for freight operations.
• Commercial trials are underway.
  Major UK firms and research collaborations are testing electric trucks in real-world conditions to better understand how they perform for regional and long-distance haulage.
• Operator adoption is beginning.
  Logistics giants such as Amazon are already deploying electric trucks in significant numbers, with the UK hosting one of their largest eHGV fleets.
• Government and private funding support exists.
  Historic government funding has helped demonstrate zero-emission fleets and associated infrastructure, rolling out hundreds of eHGVs and dozens of charging hubs through innovation programmes.

Barriers to Widespread Adoption

Despite these developments, many hauliers remain cautious about a full transition:

Charging Infrastructure Gaps

A lack of widespread, high-capacity charging points, particularly on major trunk routes, is frequently cited as a key barrier. Operators need not just chargers but strategic placements, fast charging speeds and reliable access to support long-haul operations.

While flagship projects are underway, widespread network roll-out, including motorway superhubs capable of supporting thousands of trucks, is still in early stages, with sites expected through the late 2020s.

Depot Charging & Grid Connections

Many smaller operators lack the grid capacity or funding to install high-capacity charging facilities at their own depots, a hurdle that limits immediate adoption of electric fleets. Data shows a significant portion of hauliers feel unprepared to install and power the necessary chargers.

Cost and Financial Risk

Electric HGVs typically carry higher upfront costs than diesel equivalents, even if lifetime fuel and maintenance savings help narrow the gap, making some haulage businesses hesitant, particularly SMEs with tight margins.

Range & Operational Concerns

Battery technology continues to improve, but range limitations and the need for frequent, high-power charging can make planning routes more complex than refuelling with diesel. This is most acute for long-haul and cross-country operations where downtime for charging is a commercial consideration.

Are Hauliers Ready?

The answer is mixed. Larger fleets with deeper capital reserves and sustainability commitments are early adopters, such as the Royal Mail, who are already putting electric trucks to work. Meanwhile, strategic infrastructure projects and government signals are building a foundation for broader change.

However, system-wide readiness is still developing. Most smaller operators report low confidence in current infrastructure and support frameworks, while significant investments are still required to scale charging networks and grid capacity.

Martin Fryer

Martin Fryer is Managing Director of a specialist haulage company as well as a qualified transport manager with experience across multiple different industries. He holds a BA (Hons) in Logistics and is a chartered member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport.

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