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Fuel inflation at 31.9% piles cost pressure on freight operatorsDiesel eases slightly as government scraps planning permission for kerbside EV charging · 8 stories · 27 Oct 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Logistics UK reports motor fuel inflation of 31.9% behind September's headline CPI, warning that fuel costs are feeding into wider operating costs for freight operators and will pass into prices generally. Weekly diesel data show pump prices still 3.8p up on four weeks ago, with electric vans remaining cheaper per mile for higher-mileage fleets. Separately, government has scrapped planning permission for cross-pavement EV charging, cutting installation costs by up to £300 for drivers without driveways, though council authorisation is still required. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Logistics UK chief executive Ben Fletcher, commenting on the CPI figures published on 21 October 2026, said inflation stood at 3.6% in September. He said motor fuel inflation was 31.9%, "the highest inflation rate for liquid fuels, vehicle fuels and lubricants since August 2022". Citing the Office for National Statistics, Fletcher said transport, particularly motor fuels, made the largest upward contribution to the increase in inflation. "This throws into sharp relief the financial pressure the logistics sector is under," he said. "The rapid rise in fuel inflation, driven by the conflict in the Middle East, has a direct effect on logistics operating costs, which will have a knock-on impact on the prices people pay in the shop." Fletcher said operators have limited room to soak up the rise: "Fuel, energy, tyres, maintenance, vehicles, insurance and labour are non-negotiable charges and, while operators will attempt to absorb some increases through lower margins and improved efficiency, much of this increase will ultimately drive further inflation across the wider economy." According to government (DESNZ) figures tracked by THRIVE, the UK average diesel pump price was 199.3p a litre in the week of 19 October 2026, down from 200.0p the week before. (Source: freightweek.org) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The numbers, 26 Oct: Diesel eases to 199.3p but remains 3.8p up on four weeks agoA small weekly fall does little to change the picture. Electric vans remain far cheaper per mile, and any van doing more than 8,561 miles a year looks worth costing as electric. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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199.3p (-0.7p on the week, +3.8p in four weeks). Pump price per litre, week of 19 Oct. Petrol 174.6p. See the data. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MARKET & BUSINESS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Volkswagen prepares ID. Buzz battery recall 93MF and caps charge at 80% over fire riskFleets running ID. Buzz Cargo vans or ID. Buzz people carriers with high-voltage batteries from one supplier, produced between 2022 and 2025, face a temporary 80% charge limit until Volkswagen completes battery checks. Most vehicles have been capped remotely, but owners must set the limit themselves where it has not been applied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK is preparing safety recall 93MF for ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo vehicles whose high-voltage batteries were produced by a specific supplier between 2022 and 2025. The battery components in those vehicles must be checked against Volkswagen's quality standards. The recall covers only vehicles with batteries from that supplier, not every ID. Buzz. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Almost one in five UK drivers stressed on every journey, Alphabet GB survey findsAlphabet GB's study found 42% of motorists find driving stressful at least once a week. The figure rises to 48% among delivery workers and 45% in logistics, and one in ten respondents cited employer pressure to meet tight schedules. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Almost one in five UK motorists experience stress every time they drive, according to a study by Alphabet GB reported by Van Fleet World. More than four in ten respondents (42%) said they find driving stressful at least once a week, while only 6% said they never do. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CHARGING & ENERGY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Government scraps planning permission for cross-pavement EV chargingMinisters say removing the planning requirement cuts installation costs by up to £300 for drivers without driveways, though council authorisation is still needed. Two consultations on charging access for renters and chargers in new buildings were also announced. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Government has removed the need for planning permission before cross-pavement EV charging can be installed, with effect from 21 October 2026, Fleet News reports. Local authorities must still grant authorisation for each installation. The change is intended to make home charging easier to access for drivers without driveways. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Connected Kerb opens £350,000 chargepoint manufacturing hub in AberdeenThe Energy Transition Zone site will make the operator's full range of charging products. More than 3,000 public chargers are expected to be built there in 2027 and a further 25,000 by the end of 2030 for council contracts across the UK. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chargepoint operator Connected Kerb has opened a manufacturing and innovation hub in Aberdeen as it prepares to expand its UK charging network, The Scotsman reported on 20 October. The company is investing £350,000 in the facility, within the city's Energy Transition Zone, which will manufacture its full range of charging infrastructure products. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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HMRC launches online form to add locations to transit authorisationsAuthorised consignors and consignees moving goods under transit can now add new authorised consignor locations, or consignee locations already approved as an External Temporary Storage Facility, online. Consignee locations operating Authorised Consignee Temporary Storage (ACTS) must still go by email or post. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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HM Revenue & Customs has launched a new online form for authorised consignors and consignees to add locations to an existing transit authorisation. HMRC says the form lets holders do this more quickly and easily. It announced the change in its October 2026 transit newsletter, which was added to GOV.UK on 26 October 2026. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SMMT calls for ZEV Mandate reform as government consultation nears closeThe car and van makers' trade body wants a more realistic trajectory for car and van targets, more compliance flexibility, and government incentives to lift demand and speed up affordable charging rollout. It says manufacturers cannot keep discounting electric vehicles indefinitely to meet the mandate. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has told government that the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate must be reformed, as the consultation on the regulation draws to a close. In its CEO Update of 23 October, SMMT said "industry is committed to the destination, but we need a route that is sustainable and realistic". | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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