The UK’s heavy goods vehicle (HGV) industry is committed to decarbonising road freight, but policymakers must adopt a more pragmatic and flexible approach if the transition is to succeed, according to the Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In his latest industry update, Mike Hawes warned that while manufacturers are already delivering on ambition, offering more than 40 zero-emission HGV models, the wider market conditions remain underdeveloped.
Rather than a lack of industry commitment, Hawes pointed to structural barriers slowing adoption, including high upfront vehicle and depot costs, rising energy prices, limited grid capacity and a severe shortage of public charging infrastructure, with just 10 sites currently available nationwide.
“The UK’s heavy goods vehicle industry is fully committed to decarbonising road freight, but the route to zero must be realistic, affordable and capable of delivering carbon reduction now.”
– Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT.
The complexity of the sector adds further challenge. With more than 70 specialist HGV segments—each with distinct operational requirements and duty cycles—Hawes argued that a single regulatory approach risks undermining progress.
“It is not a failure of ambition but a reflection of the immensely complex challenges facing the HGV transition,” Hawes added, warning that a “one-size-fits-all regulatory solution simply will not work.”
Instead, the SMMT is urging government to pursue a technology-neutral pathway that builds on existing CO₂ regulations. Current targets are set to deliver a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030, but Hawes suggested this could be extended to a 64% reduction by 2035, with full zero-emission adoption by 2040, goals that align with long-standing industry ambitions.
Crucially, such an approach would enable operators to invest in both low- and zero-emission technologies in the near term, rather than being constrained by mandates favouring specific solutions.
“Such an approach would give manufacturers and operators the confidence to invest in carbon cutting technology sooner,” Hawes said, cautioning that rigid mandates risk increasing costs and delaying fleet renewal.
With around 80% of UK freight dependent on road transport, the stakes are high. The wrong policy framework, he warned, could drive up costs for businesses and consumers alike, while slowing the adoption of cleaner vehicles already available to the market.
Hawes’ comments come as the sector gathered at the Commercial Vehicle Show, where a mix of established OEMs and new entrants showcased the latest developments in low- and zero-emission transport, alongside emerging technologies and services aimed at supporting fleet transition.
Reflecting on the event, Hawes said the breadth of innovation on display demonstrated a competitive and evolving market.
“Product launches from long-established vehicle OEMs and new entrants… reflect a competitive market that is providing operators with the choice they need to make the best fleet investment needed to keep the UK economy moving for years to come.”
– Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT.