The freight industry has pushed back against government plans to cut CO₂ emissions from new HGVs, warning that key proposals are “impractical” without urgent investment in infrastructure and financial support.
As the Department for Transport’s consultation on a new regulatory framework for HGV emissions closed on 17 March, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) confirmed it has rejected proposals for a manufacturers’ zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate and mandatory fleet targets for large operators.
The consultation — New Heavy Goods Vehicle CO₂ Emissions Regulatory Framework for the UK, launched in January — forms part of the government’s strategy to phase out new non-zero emission HGVs by 2035 for vehicles up to 26 tonnes and 2040 for heavier trucks. A government response is expected by the end of this year or early 2027.
To meet those deadlines, ministers have outlined three potential approaches: tighter CO₂ standards for manufacturers, a ZEV mandate, and compulsory adoption targets for large fleets.
However, writing on LinkedIn this week, RHA managing director Richard Smith said the industry remains deeply concerned about the cost of transition and the lack of charging infrastructure.
“Without additional resource from government to address these, there are significant risks to delivery,” he warned.
Smith noted that just over 1,000 electric HGVs are currently registered in the UK, compared with a total fleet of around 500,000 — underlining the scale of the challenge.
While the RHA supports raising manufacturer CO₂ emissions targets, Smith said more prescriptive measures risk placing unsustainable pressure on operators.
“The goal, as we see it, is how the ‘addressable market’ for zero-emission vehicles can be developed to a position that regulation can then drive, without imposing costs on to hard-pressed operators,” he said.
“We see proposals for a ZEV mandate for manufacturers or fleet adoption requirements as impractical without other enablers such as the infrastructure in place to power zero-emission vehicles.”
Smith also called for closer coordination between industry and government, proposing a national body to oversee delivery of HGV and coach decarbonisation.
“In short, collaboration is key to delivering real change. The RHA is looking forward to being part of this mission,” he added.
Logistics UK has also raised “serious concerns” in its response, particularly over the lack of detail on how charging infrastructure will be delivered or accelerated.
The organisation also criticised the decision to exclude low-carbon fuels as a transitional option.
Lamech Solomon, head of decarbonisation at Logistics UK, said: “The ambition to increase the uptake of zero-emission HGVs must be matched by a clear, credible plan to deliver the charging infrastructure these vehicles will depend on.
“Acknowledging the need for ‘significant charging infrastructure support’ without setting out how this will be accelerated risks placing unrealistic obligations on operators and manufacturers alike.
“Equally concerning is the decision to rule out low-carbon fuels. The period to 2040 is a transitional phase, not the end state, and low-carbon fuels have an important role to play while zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure scale up.
“A pragmatic, technology-neutral approach is essential if we are to cut emissions while keeping goods moving and supply chains resilient.”
