Electric Freightway project accelerates UK eHGV transition as fleets surpass half a million zero emission miles
Wed 15 October 2025
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Hitachi Zero Carbon and Gridserve have unveiled the latest Electric Freightway report which shows the UK’s transition to zero emission heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) is gathering real momentum, with participating fleets now exceeding half a million zero emission miles. The initiative brings commercial operators, infrastructure providers and policymakers together to accelerate freight decarbonisation at scale. The latest report says that eHGVs could achieve total cost of ownership (TCO) parity with diesel vehicles within five years.
The project, part-funded by Innovate UK, brings together more than 30 partners from across logistics, manufacturing and utilities, including major fleet operators such as Amazon, Royal Mail, GXO and Wincanton. Collectively, these organisations have already taken delivery of 79 electric HGVs, with a further 78 on order – surpassing the original project target.
A key milestone in the programme is the delivery of one of the UK’s largest dedicated eHGV charging hubs at Nissan’s Sunderland plant. The ten-bay shared depot demonstrates the potential for high-capacity charging solutions that can serve multiple operators efficiently. Public eHGV charging locations are also under development to support longer-distance zero emission freight routes across the UK.
The report describes good progress but also notes remaining challenges, particularly around grid capacity and power availability at key freight sites. Addressing these barriers will be essential to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with vehicle uptake.
Encouragingly, the analysis suggests that for certain duty cycles, the total cost of ownership of eHGVs could achieve parity with diesel vehicles within five years, particularly for high-mileage operations. From an environmental perspective, electric trucks offer lifetime greenhouse gas emissions up to three times lower than diesel equivalents, with the embedded emissions of battery production typically offset within the first year of use.
Transport Minister Keir Mather MP said the findings demonstrate clear progress: “To create a cleaner planet and a stronger economy it’s essential the lorries and vans delivering goods across our country are supported to make the move to zero emissions. As this report shows, the rollout is well underway and the future of freight is green.”
Sam Clarke, Gridserve’s Head of eHGVs, added: “Delivering the 10-bay shared charging depot at Nissan’s Sunderland plant is just the beginning. As electric fleet mileage continues to grow, our priority is ensuring infrastructure keeps pace.”
The report underlines that the transition to zero emission freight is no longer theoretical – it’s happening now, with collaboration and infrastructure at the heart of delivery.
(Image: Courtesy Hitachi)
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