Zero emission heavy goods vehicles and infrastructure
Supporting the development, uptake and demonstration of commercially available zero emission HGVs, and providing the crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise and transition to a zero-emission road freight sector in the UK.
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:
- Procurement and Infrastructure Development (2024–2026): Building the foundation with critical charging and refuelling infrastructure.
- On-Road Demonstration (2026–2031): Real-world trials of zero-emission HGVs, testing their capabilities in various duty cycles and operational scenarios.
Data collection is critical to this programme and so Ricardo have been engaged to independently evaluate all projects. The learning will be both public and fed to the Department for Transport.
Programme objectives
Deploy zero-emission HGVs
Demonstrate the feasibility of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks in real-world applications.
Build confidence
Provide operators and policymakers with critical insights into the performance, infrastructure needs, and cost-effectiveness of these technologies.
Stimulate innovation
Encourage the development of supply chain technologies and scalable solutions for the logistics sector.
Lay the foundation
Establish the fuelling and charging infrastructure needed to support widespread adoption across the UK.
EVENT
Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstration Progress Summit
Part of the Department for Transport and Innovate UK’s large-scale Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrations (ZEHID), this event will give a detailed progress update on programme projects.
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Our flagship project partnerships
Project Electric Freightway
Project Electric Freightway will help pave the way for the wider adoption of electric-powered HGVs to replace existing diesel fleets and help resolve both environmental and efficiency issues across the sector.
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eFREIGHT 2030
eFREIGHT 2030 is a consortium of electric HGV manufacturers, fleet operators, electric HGV charging infrastructure providers and data analysts, creating the business models for electrifying the heavy road freight industry by scale.
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Zero Emission National (ZEN) Freight
The Zero Emission National (ZEN) Freight consortium is unique amongst the four projects in that is conducting parallel demonstrations with both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell heavy goods vehicles.
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Hydrogen Aggregated UK Logistics (HyHAUL)
(2024 - 2025) A project to develop a hydrogen supply chain and provide public access hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
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ZEHID Programme Outputs
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- Project Introduction and Approach
This report sets out the project’s commitments, delivery timelines and approach to sharing insights with the haulage industry.
Download the report from Hitachi ZeroCarbon - Electric Heavy Goods Vehicles? Industry Perspectives on UK Adoption
Qualitative research led by Connected Places Catapult and commissioned by Voltempo, exploring industry readiness and attitudes towards net-zero HGV operations.
Request a digital copy on Energy Systems Catapult
- Project Introduction and Approach
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- Ensuring Safety in the Transition to Zero-Emission Road Freight
Providing best-practice guidance for refuelling and recharging operations.
Request a digital copy on Connected Places Catapult - BSI Flex 2071 v2.0
Publicly Accessible Charging Sites for Battery Electric HGVs.
View the standard - BSI Flex 2072 v2.0
Workshops for Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicles.
View the standard - BSI Flex 2073 v2.0
Design and Implementation of Hydrogen Refuelling Sites.
View the standard
- Ensuring Safety in the Transition to Zero-Emission Road Freight
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- Demonstration Design and Implementation
An overview of the planning and delivery of eHGV infrastructure, progress with vehicle deployment, feedback from drivers and operations teams, and the challenges faced by vehicle manufacturers and charge point operators.
Download the report from Hitachi ZeroCarbon - eHGV Purchasing Options and Considerations
An in-depth look at financial and operational considerations to help fleet operators make informed procurement decisions.
Request a digital copy on Energy Systems Catapult - Business Model Options for Depot-Based Charging
An assessment of commercial models designed to overcome key barriers to depot-based eHGV charging.
Request a digital copy on Energy Systems Catapult - Planning and Delivery of Infrastructure for Zero-Emission HGVs
Setting out key considerations and recommended delivery pathways.
Request a digital copy on Connected Places Catapult
- Demonstration Design and Implementation
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- ZEHID charging and refuelling locations
Explore the map - eHGV Charger Connections Guide
Practical guidance on connecting high-capacity eHGV chargers to the UK electricity network, covering processes, costs and common challenges.
Request a digital copy on Energy Systems Catapult - eHGV Charger Connections Case Study
Real-world examples from Voltempo’s work securing grid connections for high-power charging sites across the UK.
Request a digital copy on Energy Systems Catapult
- ZEHID charging and refuelling locations
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- Interim Findings
An update on infrastructure and vehicle deployment, combined with insights from drivers and operators and a review of the barriers encountered during the transition to electric HGVs.
Download the report from Hitachi ZeroCarbon - HGV Carbon and Cost Calculator
Developed by Hitachi ZeroCarbon, this is an interactive tool designed to help operators understand the commercial and environmental implications of electrifying their fleets.
Explore the cost calculator
- Interim Findings
Decarbonising freight is key to bringing down emissions from transport, and it’s fantastic to see the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, delivered by Innovate UK, already supporting the industry with the transition. We’re investing up to £200m to help rollout hundreds of zero emission trucks and install new charging infrastructure, supporting high paid jobs and making the UK a green energy superpower as part of our plan for change.
— Lilian Greenwood | Minister for Future of Roads
Innovate UK is proud to work in partnership with the Department for Transport and industry, to show the way to decarbonise the UK’s road freight industry. This programme will develop world-leading battery and hydrogen technologies through demonstration at scale, creating greener jobs, and boosting our net zero economy.
— Stella Peace | Interim Executive Chair Innovate UK
Our Experts
Related Perspectives
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