Forcing the industry to transition completely to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) within the next 10 years risks destabilising the market and driving up costs, the SMMT has warned.
Amid a recent sharp drop in ZEV adoption, the automotive group said the decline reflected the nascent nature of the HGV transition and that haulage operators needed access to every available technology to cut carbon emissions, not just electricity.
Its latest data showed ZEV adoption had fallen to just 0.9% of new HGV registrations this year, down from 1.4% in 2025.
The SMMT said infrastructure rollout remained a key challenge, with grid connection waits of up to 15 years for the largest projects and just 10 public ZEV HGV charging stations nationwide.
High upfront costs and depot infrastructure upgrades were also taxing operators’ minds.
The trade association said a more balanced approach was required, and that the UK should build on existing HGV CO2 regulation – which is already on track to deliver 30% emissions reduction by the end of the decade – by adopting a 64% reduction target by 2035, setting the pathway to full ZEV adoption by 2040.
This would enable operators to invest in a range of technologies, which would support fleet renewal and swifter emissions cuts, while safeguarding business viability.
Mike Hawes, SMMT CE, said, “The HGV industry is fully committed to decarbonisation, having already delivered zero emission models years ahead of natural demand.
“But while the goal of net zero by 2050 remains, we need a pathway that is realistic, affordable and delivers CO2 savings now.
“Government regulation must recognise the complexities of this critical market, which are far greater than the car or van sectors, and with so much of our economy dependent on freight, the priority must be to cut carbon in ways that accelerate fleet renewal without driving up costs.”
