Zero-emission HGV trial clocks 240+ trucks and 2.2 million miles

Plus: diesel hits 200p a litre, widening the gap with EV running costs · 8 stories · 20 Oct 2026

Diesel's rise to 200p a litre widens the running-cost gap with electric vans, though rapid charging at three times the home rate means savings depend on where vehicles charge. Be.EV warns that stacking policy costs could still slow EV uptake, even as new grants cut prices on the Volvo EX30 Cargo and Volkswagen's ID. Buzz Cargo, and Electroway opens a 32-bay truck charging hub at Magna Park. Fleets should recheck mileages and expense rates now.

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Innovate UK, working with independent technical evaluator WSP, has published the first annual report on the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, according to a summary published by SMMT. Funded by the Department for Transport and delivered through Innovate UK, ZEHID is described as Europe's largest coordinated demonstration of zero-emission HGVs of 40 tonnes or more, along with the infrastructure needed to support them.

According to the report, ZEHID's current projects – Electric Freightway, eFreight 2030 and ZenFreight – have put more than 240 zero-emission trucks into service and established more than 40 charging sites across the UK. Trial data gathered so far covers 2.2 million miles, 550,000 tonnes of freight and 85,000 trips. Innovate UK expects this to rise to about 300 electric HGVs and 70 infrastructure sites by the end of 2026.

The report also sets out claimed environmental benefits, including an approximate 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with equivalent diesel operations and cumulative CO2 savings of more than 4,000 tonnes to date. ZEHID has now begun a five-year phase of monitoring and evaluation running until 2031, intended to generate evidence on vehicle performance, infrastructure use, costs, emissions and operational impacts.

Claire Spooner, Director of the Innovation Service at Innovate UK, said zero-emission HGVs "are already demonstrating their potential in real-world freight operations across the UK," describing the report as marking "an important milestone" for the programme.

Fleets already deploying electric HGVs

Among the fleets involved, Menzies Distribution Solutions has put three new 42-tonne Scania electric tractor units into operation at its Wakefield distribution centre, the first of 10 electric HGVs it plans to deploy, also including DAF and Renault Trucks vehicles, supported by on-site charging infrastructure capable of delivering up to 1MW. Maritime Transport has put five Renault Trucks E-Tech T 4x2 tractor units into service through eFreight 2030, forming part of its 56-strong eHGV fleet, with initial deployments at Wakefield and Avonmouth.

(Source: SMMT)

THE NUMBERS

Diesel's climb widens the running-cost gap with electric vans, but public rapid charging at three times the home rate means the saving depends on where vans charge. Mileages and expense rates are worth checking now.

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200.0p (+0.5p on the week, +9.3p in four weeks). Pump price per litre, week of 12 Oct. Petrol 175.3p. See the data.

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MARKET & BUSINESS

The charging network says the cumulative cost of government policies risks deterring drivers just as EV uptake gathers pace, and has launched two monthly charging passes priced at £49 and £89 to help manage costs.

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Be.EV has warned, in comments reported by Chronicle Live, that the cumulative cost of government policies could put people off switching from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles just as the transition is starting to gather pace, according to a company spokesperson. To help drivers handle rising costs, the charging network has launched what it describes as the UK's first monthly EV charging pass.

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VEHICLES & LAUNCHES

Volvo Car UK says the electric EX30 Cargo is eligible for the government's ZEVG scheme, bringing on-the-road prices to £33,529 for business and fleet buyers once the grant is applied.

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Volvo Car UK has confirmed that its fully electric EX30 Cargo is eligible for the UK Government's Zero Emission Van Grant (ZEVG), cutting £2,500 off the purchase price for eligible business and fleet customers, Electric Cars Report reports.

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MARKET & BUSINESS

The updated electric van gets more range and power from a smaller battery, a £5,655 price cut before grant, and Vehicle-to-Load capability, while a long-wheelbase version remains unconfirmed for UK sale.

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Volkswagen has replaced the entry-level battery in its ID. Buzz Cargo electric van for 2026, according to a detailed account published by leasing broker Stable Vehicle Contracts. The previous 59kWh unit is being swapped for a new 58kWh battery which, despite the smaller capacity, raises Volkswagen's official WLTP range claim to 218 miles and increases power to 190PS.

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POLICY & TAX

Launched at Logistics UK's Transport Manager conference in Falkirk, the Compliance Report 2026 shows HGV annual test failure rates, collision numbers and DVSA risk ratings all continuing to move in operators' favour, even as the trade body flags rising costs and economic pressure on the sector.

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Logistics UK published its Compliance Report 2026 on 8 October at its Transport Manager conference in Falkirk, setting out improved HGV testing, safety and risk-rating performance across the sector.

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CHARGING & ENERGY

The Lutterworth site, described by Electroway as the UK's largest electric truck charging facility, offers 32 bays each capable of 400kW and is the company's first dedicated truck charging facility, coming ahead of its planned £1bn national rollout.

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Electroway opened what it describes as the UK's largest electric truck charging facility on 15 October 2026, at Marq Logistics' Magna Park site in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, BusinessGreen reported.

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CHARGING & ENERGY

In its Chairman's Address, the Association of Fleet Professionals restated its Fleet Manifesto case against the government's planned electric vehicle duty, including the Manifesto's call to delay it to 2030, alongside updates on membership growth and its shared charging network.

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The chair of the Association of Fleet Professionals used the Chairman's Address at the organisation's 2026 Annual General Meeting on 14 October to set out the association's year, with the government's planned eVED pay-per-mile duty on electric vehicles described as the issue that had defined the AFP's dealings with Westminster.

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