Call for change as eHGV uptake stalls

May 13, 2026

2 min read

The government is being urged by the SMMT to ensure HGV operators have access to every available technology to cut carbon emissions and meet zero-emission targets by 2040.

The call came at the Commercial Vehicle Show, where major OEMs and fleet operators gathered to display the latest in technology and discuss the future of UK road freight and decarbonisation.

The latest data from the SMMT shows a sharp drop in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption, falling to 0.9% of new HGV registrations this year, down from 1.4% in 2025. The decline reflects the nascent nature of the HGV transition which needs to accelerate rapidly to meet the 2040 target.

Manufacturers already offer more than 40 ZEV models and cover a range of more than 70 different segments, including goods lorries, concrete mixers and ambulances, all of which need to be decarbonised which is different to the more homogenous new car market.

The higher upfront cost of ZEVs and depot infrastructure upgrades, the impact of rising energy prices and infrastructure rollout are all key challenges facing the decarbonisation transition.

Rather than mandating ZEV-only sales, which SMMT has said risks destabilising the market and driving up costs, the UK should build upon existing HGV CO2 regulation, adopting a 64% target by 2035 and setting the pathway to full adoption by 2040. This balanced approach, it said, would allow operators to deploy a range of technologies, supporting fleet renewal and faster emissions cuts.

Logistics UK’s Head of Decarbonisation Lamech Solomon said: “Manufacturers have put a great deal of work and investment into widening the range of vehicles available, which is fantastic to see.

“Giving operators more choice allows them to pick a vehicle that works best for their fleet, but this needs to be backed by investment into infrastructure to address persistent barriers including a lack of suitable charging.”