Deadlines for truck diesel ban under review by Government

The Department for Transport (DfT) is reviewing its approach to phasing out diesel trucks, aiming to eliminate those weighing 26 tonnes or less by 2035 and all heavier trucks by 2040.

The DfT stopped short of confirming that the deadlines would be changed, but told Fleet News it is considering what regulations are appropriate “and will engage the sector on any future regulatory approach in due course”.

The fleet industry has expressed concerns about the transition to zero-emission heavy vehicles, particularly regarding the infrastructure required to support it over the next 10 to 15 years.

Lorna McAtear, head of fleet at National Grid and deputy chair at the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), told Fleet News: “I do worry that there’s no one really talking about the 2035 deadline, it all seems very much focussed on 2040.

“If you have specialist converted vehicles under 26 tonnes, and that includes 7.5 tonne vehicles that will be affected, there’s a real issue around infrastructure and operations that needs to be solved in order to meet that 2035 deadline.”

McAtear believes there is less concern over the product side, with vehicle manufacturers “doing a good job” of launching new zero emission technology to get to a positive position within the next 10 years, there’s a greater concern around infrastructure.

She said that while there are temporary solutions that are possible for depots to recharge their vehicles, the bigger question is around permanent solutions, with huge power connections needed at “huge cost”.

McAtear said: “For a family run business or companies that are more rural, it’s going to be an even bigger challenge to make the switch.”

She added infrastructure challenges include having the bays and space available at rapid chargers on the motorway networks to cater for heavier trucks.

Work is progressing in this area with motorway services operator Moto planning to install up to 300 charging bays for electric HGVs in 23 strategic locations by 2030.  

The first of 15 ‘superhubs’ are planned to be opened by the end of 2027, which would provide capacity for up to 5,000 electric trucks.

While motorway capacity is being addressed, this doesn’t solve the total issue around capacity for the whole of the HGV industry, as well as the level of investment and development needed at fleet depots.

Tech-giant Amazon is one of the businesses that does have the purchasing power required to support its HGV decarbonisation goals.

The business is transitioning to electric trucks in a big way in the UK, with the addition of 140 new electric Mercedes-Benz Truck eActros 600 trucks and eight Volvo FM zero-emission lorries.

The company is supporting the switch by installing rapid charging infrastructure across key UK sites, including 360kW electric charging points capable of charging the 40-tonne Mercedes-Benz Truck eActros 600 trucks from 20% to 80% in just over an hour.

A DfT spokesperson reaffirmed the Government's commitment to helping the wider industry decarbonise road freight: “We’re investing up to £200m to help roll out hundreds of zero emission lorries and install new charging in infrastructure through the Department's Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID).  

“It is supporting high paid jobs and making the UK a green energy superpower as part of our ‘Plan for Change’.”

The DfT also said it is continuing to support decarbonisation of the HGV sector through the plug-in truck grant.

Plug-in truck grant reform

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called for reform to how the plug-in truck grant is operated.

There are now 27 models of zero emission trucks available to UK operators.

The grant was first introduced in 2016, but models can only be eligible after undertaking an approval process that the SMMT said can take around two years.

The UK’s new heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market is also in a wider state of decline, falling for for the first time in three years in 2024 with registrations down by 2.7%.

While the cyclical nature of HGV fleet renewal can cause annual fluctuations, the SMMT is concerned that operator demand for zero emission trucks fell, by 7.3% to just 217 units, with a 0.5% market share – the same as in 2023.

The SMMT concurred that the provision of enroute infrastructure is also limited.

The automotive industry trade body said the mass market adoption of zero emission trucks depends on their charging needs being met through a national vehicle infrastructure strategy, which must consider all vehicle types.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the UK has world-leading ambitions to end the sale of new, non-zero emissions trucks in the next decade.

However, while vehicle manufacturers are investing to offer models, at present it is still a fledgling market.

Hawes added: “Operators, often facing tight margins, face having to make significant investments in both vehicles and depot infrastructure and there is a paucity of charging and refuelling infrastructure on the strategic road network.

“With just one full cycle of fleet renewal remaining for the proposed end of sale date, immediate support is needed, including a meaningful replacement for the soon-to-expire plug-in truck grant and a national HGV infrastructure strategy to ensure a zero-emission fleet is both commercially and operationally viable.”