Truck industry urges technology-open transition as ZEV uptake stalls
The government is being urged to ensure Britain’s heavy goods vehicle (HGV) operators have access to every available technology to cut carbon emissions. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) made the call at today’s Commercial Vehicle Show, where major OEMs and fleet operators are gathered to display the very latest array of technologies and discuss the future of UK road freight and decarbonisation.
As government prepares new regulation to deliver a zero emission truck market, the latest data from SMMT reveals a sharp drop in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption – falling to just 0.9% of new HGV registrations this year, down from 1.4% in 2025. The decline reflects the nascent nature of the HGV transition, which must accelerate rapidly to meet the UK’s ambition for a fully ZEV market by 2040.
Manufacturers already offer more than 40 ZEV models, years ahead of natural demand, covering a complex range of more than 70 different segments – from goods lorries and bulk tankers to concrete mixers, diggers, refuse trucks, tractors and ambulances. All must be decarbonised, compared with a more homogenous new car market.
The HGV sector underpins more than 80% of UK freight, moving essential goods and services such as food and drink, retail, medicine, construction, agriculture and emergency services. However, the transition faces significant barriers, including the higher upfront cost of ZEVs and depot infrastructure upgrades, and the impact of rising energy prices on running costs. Infrastructure rollout is also a key challenge, with grid connection waits of potentially up to 15 years for the largest projects and just 10 public ZEV HGV charging stations nationwide.
With these barriers demanding substantial long-term investment, mandating ZEV-only sales prematurely would risk destablising the market, driving up costs, slowing low carbon fleet renewal, and repeating the challenges faced by the car and van sectors. Instead, the UK should build on existing HGV CO2 regulation – already on track to deliver a -30% emissions reduction by 2030 – by adopting a -64% target by 2035, and setting the pathway to full ZEV adoption by 2040.
This balanced approach – supported by long-term market enablers – would allow operators to deploy a range of technologies, supporting fleet renewal and faster emissions cuts, while safeguarding business viability and reducing the impact of these investment requirements on cost of living. Limiting the sector to only zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), meanwhile, would drive up costs for businesses and consumers.
Even so, a fully ZEV market by 2040 remains an ambitious goal. Substantial market enablers such as the Plug-in Truck Grant and Depot Charging Scheme will be vital throughout the transition and should be expanded to support every HGV segment and use case. The industry also continues to call for a comprehensive national infrastructure strategy, including fast-tracked planning approval for HGV depot upgrades and accelerated rollout of public infrastructure. These measures are essential to ensure operators can transition to zero emissions while keeping the UK economy moving.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “The HGV industry is fully committed to decarbonisation, having already delivered zero emission models years ahead of natural demand. But while the goal of net zero by 2050 remains, we need a pathway that is realistic, affordable and delivers CO2 savings now. Government regulation must recognise the complexities of this critical market, which are far greater than the car or van sectors, and with so much of our economy dependent on freight, the priority must be to cut carbon in ways that accelerate fleet renewal without driving up costs.”
More than 15,000 fleet buyers, transport experts and industry leaders are gathering this week at the Commercial Vehicle Show (21-23 April) at the NEC Birmingham. The event will feature cutting-edge heavy and light commercial vehicle and services innovations to help businesses boost operational efficiency, lower emissions and reduce costs.