Invest in low carbon fuels to accelerate decarbonisation today, says Logistics UK
Friday 07 March 2025
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has announced plans this week for 54 new charging and hydrogen refuelling hubs for zero emission HGVs. But while this is a significant investment in infrastructure, business group Logistics UK is challenging why the government continues to overlook the role of low carbon fuels in helping the UK achieve its decarbonisation goals. Logistics UK Deputy Director - Policy Michelle Gardner explains more:
“Logistics UK members are fully committed to decarbonising, and many are already trialling or have adopted alternative fuels and technologies to help achieve net zero. The industry is technology neutral in its approach and will adopt any solution that is operationally and commercially viable. However, significant barriers remain on the journey to net zero for all transport modes, and it must be recognised that it will take considerable time for zero emission technologies to be fully adopted and integrated into the logistics system. While the new charging and refuelling hubs for HGVs are welcome, infrastructure will be needed at scale to keep our industry and the goods we deliver moving across the country and around the world.
“Given this, urgent support must be given to the use and production of low carbon fuels (LCFs) across logistics transport. While the long-term goal is zero emission technologies, LCFs can play a key role in the interim. Fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) can be used in diesel engines without any modifications meaning the industry could effectively reduce carbon emissions by 80% overnight.”
Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk
