The freight sector has warned the government that its net zero ambitions risk being undermined by slow planning decisions, grid delays and outdated regulations holding back the rollout of zero-emission trucks.
The warning comes after Heidi Alexander’s reappointment as Transport Secretary, with industry leaders calling for continuity to deliver faster action rather than a continuation of delays.
Simon Smith (pictured), chief executive of electric truck charging specialist Voltempo, said the technology needed to decarbonise freight was now available, but claimed government processes were becoming the biggest barrier to deployment.
“Continuity at the Department for Transport is welcome news, but continuity has to mean progress, not more of the same,” Smith said.
“The biggest obstacle to zero-emission freight is no longer technology, it’s bureaucracy. Planning delays, grid connectivity and outdated regulations around vehicle weights and dimensions are all holding back investment.
“The industry is ready to move. This must now translate into faster decisions on the barriers that continue to slow deployment.”
The comments come as pressure grows on ministers to turn net zero targets into practical action for operators facing major decisions on future fleet investment.
The UK has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with transport identified as one of the biggest challenges. While cars and vans have seen rapid growth in electric adoption, heavy goods vehicles remain a more difficult challenge because of their size, mileage requirements and reliance on high-powered charging infrastructure.
The government has set out plans for a phased transition to zero-emission HGVs, including requirements for manufacturers to increase sales of cleaner vehicles through the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. However, operators and manufacturers have repeatedly warned that infrastructure, energy supply and planning delays could slow the transition.
For freight operators, the issue is increasingly moving away from whether electric trucks can work and towards whether the wider system is ready to support them.
Large electric HGVs require significant electricity capacity at depots, with some sites needing major grid upgrades before charging infrastructure can be installed. Industry leaders have warned that connection delays can stretch for years, creating uncertainty for businesses trying to plan fleet replacement cycles.
Smith said the freight industry is prepared to invest, but government action is needed to unlock that investment.
The warning reflects growing frustration across the transport sector that policy ambition is moving faster than the practical measures needed to deliver it. Operators face pressure to cut emissions while also managing rising costs, uncertain infrastructure timelines and complex regulatory requirements.
