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Government launches Depot Charging Scheme
The government has this week announced a new grant scheme to make it easier for businesses to provide electric vehicle charging facilities at commercial vehicle depots.
This is part of a £63m investment package which intended to reduce the barriers to commercial and private EV usage.
According to a Department for Transport spokesperson, the £30 million Depot Charging Scheme is intended to “help businesses install charging points at depots nationwide, supporting the nation’s heavy goods vehicles, vans and coach drivers in the transition to net zero.”
Speaking in response to the announcement, Logistics UK’s Deputy Policy Director Michelle Gardner was cautiously optimistic about the impact of the planned initiative:
“Logistics UK’s members, the businesses which move all the goods that the economy needs to operate effectively, will welcome the announcement of the Depot Charging Scheme, which will support operators looking to install the infrastructure required to charge electric vehicles swiftly and effectively.
“However, challenges still exist for the logistics sector on the road to decarbonisation – the public charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles is still woefully underpowered and requires an effective plan to ensure it is scaled rapidly. To address wider challenges with depot charging, our sector must be prioritised for grid connections with high and opaque costs being addressed. We will be maintaining close contact with government over the coming weeks to ensure that these issues are addressed at pace.”
As part of the package of new measures, intended to increase EV uptake across the economy, the NHS will receive access to an £8m fund to power the electrification of ambulances and medical fleets across more than 200 NHS sites – a move which is set to save £120m in costs, which can be ploughed back into patient care – as well as the installation of more than 1,200 charging points at NHS sites.
EV charging signage on major roads is also set to be upgraded, with immediate changes to include the signposting of EV charging hubs from motorways and major A-roads for the first time.
Details of the Depot Charging Scheme can be found here
Published On: 17/07/2025 15:00:00
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In Brief
Act quickly! Entries for the 2025 Logistics Awards close Friday 18 July
To celebrate the achievements of your business and your team, maximise your brand’s visibility and showcase the outstanding work that your organisation has achieved over the past year, please confirm your intention to enter now by emailing dbrand@logistics.org.uk as soon as possible. All the award categories and details of what is required can be found here: https://shorturl.at/JynHn and remember, all the awards are free to enter!
GB Railfreight unveils new freight locomotives
GB Railfreight this week unveiled its new Class 99 locomotives at its Peterborough headquarters. According to the organisation, the new fleet, which represents a £150 million investment from GBRf, will revolutionise Britain’s rail freight network. Representing a major leap forward for sustainable transport, these powerful new locomotives will play a key role in decarbonising Britain’s supply chains while supporting regional growth and helping to deliver a cleaner, faster, and more resilient freight network.
The Class 99s can run on both electricity and renewable fuels, offering customers the most sustainable freight solution on the market and halving carbon emissions.
Commenting about the new locomotives, Lord Hendy, Minister of State for Rail said: “Major private sector investments like this £150 million commitment to revolutionary Class 99 trains, demonstrate the confidence the rail freight industry has in its future under this Government.
“With robust protections for fair network access and ambitious growth targets a part of our plans for Great British Railways, we're ensuring the rail freight sector has what it needs to thrive so it can continue removing thousands of HGVs from our roads whilst delivering huge economic benefits across the country.
“I look forward to seeing the Class 99s entering commercial service later this year and seeing the transformative impact they’ll have in decarbonising our rail network.”
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