Overview
- The Department for Transport outlines three enforcement options: manufacturer sales quotas for zero-emission HGVs, EU-style declining carbon caps for hauliers, or fleet-share mandates for delivery firms.
- Sales of new non-zero-emission HGVs would end in 2040, with a potential 2035 cutoff for trucks up to 26 tonnes set out in the proposals.
- Transport minister Keir Mather cites lorries’ 16% share of domestic transport emissions as the rationale for action.
- Industry and opposition figures warn of higher costs and insufficient infrastructure, with the RHA highlighting low uptake and affordability concerns and a survey finding most hauliers have no plans to add zero-emission vehicles.
- Only about 500 electric HGVs are registered out of a 535,000-strong fleet, the Green Finance Institute estimates roughly £100bn in extra finance will be needed, and the government said last week it would reduce electric lorry purchase costs by up to £120,000.