The future of haulage is here: it’s time for a zero-emission mandate for HGVs

Anna Krajinska, UK Director | Transport & Environment

3 min read6 hr Partner content

Zero-emission trucks are ready for the road. The industry is prepared. But without decisive government action, Anna Krajinska, UK Director at T&E, warns that the UK risks losing momentum, and with it, new green jobs and a thriving, sustainable logistics sector

Earlier this month, MPs and peers joined us outside Westminster to see the future of freight in action: a fully electric heavy goods vehicle already in daily operation across the east of England. This was not a concept or prototype – it was a proven, reliable, zero-emission truck, demonstrating that sustainable haulage is not just possible but already a reality.

It sets a clear path for the UK’s transport future. Yet, unless the government acts decisively and swiftly, the UK risks missing out on the significant opportunities this transition presents.

Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are responsible for nearly one-fifth of the UK’s domestic transport emissions,¹ making them among the most polluting vehicles on British roads. Yet, progress in cutting their carbon footprint has lagged far behind other sectors.

While cars and vans are now subject to a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate – spurring investment and rapid change – HGVs remain largely unregulated, creating a policy vacuum that could undermine both the UK’s climate ambitions and its industrial competitiveness.

Across the Channel, the European Union has already implemented binding CO₂ reduction targets for trucks and buses, with ambitions to slash emissions by 90 per cent by 2040.² This clear regulatory signal has unlocked significant green investment, with battery and vehicle manufacturers prioritising markets that offer certainty and long-term ambition.

In contrast, the absence of a UK ZEV mandate for HGVs is leaving the nation behind, risking both environmental and economic leadership as the race to decarbonise road freight intensifies.

Time is running out

We urge the government to launch an immediate consultation on a ZEV mandate for heavy-duty vehicles, with the explicit goal of introducing sales targets that begin as early as 2026. Our proposed framework – 10 per cent zero-emission sales by 2026, 50 per cent by 2030, and full transition by 2040. This would give manufacturers, investors and operators the certainty they need to act decisively.

The existing ZEV mandate for cars and vans has already demonstrated its effectiveness, unlocking £23bn in investment in just three years.³ Applying this model to trucks would accelerate UK battery manufacturing, expand charging infrastructure and strengthen the nation’s green supply chain.

The UK has every opportunity to lead in zero-emission freight but only if it moves quickly to capitalise on the moment.

Electric trucks are no longer prototypes. Today’s models boast ranges exceeding 300 miles and can fully charge in under four hours. Industry analysis suggests that battery-electric HGVs will be cheaper to operate than diesel trucks on many routes by the mid-2020s, with most long-distance journeys becoming cost-competitive by 2030.

Major UK fleet operators such as Maersk, Tesco and Coca-Cola have already pledged to transition to zero-emission trucks by 2040.⁴ Yet, supply shortages and policy ambiguity are slowing progress. A clear, nationwide mandate would unlock demand, spur investment and boost production, benefiting the entire logistics sector.

Zero-emission trucks are ready for the road. The industry is prepared. But without decisive government action, the UK risks losing momentum, and with it, the prospect of new green jobs and a thriving, sustainable logistics sector.

MPs have witnessed the future of haulage firsthand. The time to act is now.