Zero emission heavy goods vehicles and infrastructure

Decarbonising Heavy Goods Vehicles.
Driving Toward a Zero-Emission Future.

Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are the backbone of the UK’s supply chain, but they also account for a significant 20% of domestic transport CO2 emissions. As the nation races toward its net zero emissions target by 2050, decarbonising HGVs presents one of the toughest – yet most critical – challenges.

The Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, backed by circa £200m in funding from the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, is rising to meet this challenge. With a bold vision to deploy around 350 of the heaviest battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on UK roads, the programme will also fund and support over 70 public and depot-based infrastructure installations by 2030.

This pioneering effort will not only accelerate the transition to zero-emission logistics but will also deliver transformative environmental and economic benefits. Every zero-emission HGV deployed has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions equivalent to replacing dozens of passenger cars, highlighting their outsized impact on climate goals.

The ZEHID programme unfolds in two key phases:

1. Procurement and Infrastructure Development (2024–2026): Building the foundation with critical charging and refuelling infrastructure.
2. On-Road Demonstration (2026–2031): Real-world trials of zero-emission HGVs, testing their capabilities in various duty cycles and operational scenarios.