A new podcast series exploring the practical challenges of decarbonising the UK road freight sector has been launched by the team at Freight Carbon Zero, with its first episode focusing on policy, fuel choice and infrastructure rather than headline-driven targets.

The opening episode of Zeroed In: Freight’s Carbon Challenge features a conversation between Freight Carbon Zero’s Andy Salter and Jonny Williams of Vigo Bioenergy, reflecting on the key themes emerging from the Motor Transport Decarbonisation Summit and the road ahead for heavy commercial vehicles.

Rather than framing decarbonisation as a single-technology race, the discussion highlights the need for a balanced, pragmatic approach that recognises the role of multiple fuels and vehicle types across different freight applications. Williams argues that while electrification and hydrogen continue to dominate headlines, renewable gas and biomethane are already delivering significant carbon reductions at scale.

Vigo Bioenergy now operates around 60 refuelling stations across Europe, with plans to expand to as many as 100 sites over the next two to three years, supporting fleets already operating gas-powered HGVs at commercial scale

The episode also explores the limits of electrification for certain vehicle types, including heavy-duty and specialist operations, and questions whether policy frameworks are sufficiently aligned with real-world operational demands. Williams stresses the importance of listening to OEMs and fleet operators when shaping future regulation, rather than relying on technology assumptions that may not be deliverable within existing timescales

Biomethane’s role within the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), including the use of mass balancing and traceability, is another key theme, alongside the need for robust data systems to support credible carbon reporting, argues Williams.

The conversation also looks beyond the UK, with Williams highlighting the value of learning from international markets such as China, where large-scale truck refuelling and battery swapping models are already in operation.

Zeroed In aims to provide an informed, industry-led forum for discussion around decarbonisation, focusing on what can be delivered now as well as what lies ahead. Future episodes will examine different technologies, fleet strategies and policy developments shaping the transition to low and zero-carbon road freight.

Andy Salter has spent most of his 30-year working life in and around the commercial vehicle and road freight sector building up a depth of knowledge and expertise. A former editor of TRUCK and Commercial Motor magazines, Andy is a previous Chair of the International Truck of the Year jury and is now managing director of DVV Media International the owner of Freight Carbon Zero. He is passionate about helping the industry prepare for a carbon zero future.View full Profile

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