The UK government has unveiled plans for a nationwide network of 54 charging and hydrogen refuelling hubs to support the transition to zero-emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The announcement was made by Future of Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood at the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator Programme (ZEHID) summit in London, where over 400 businesses gathered to discuss the future of sustainable freight transport.
The infrastructure rollout forms part of the £200 million ZEHID programme, which aims to deploy hundreds of zero-emission HGVs alongside strategically placed charging and refuelling stations across the UK. The network will include megawatt charging stations and hydrogen refuelling points at depots, motorway service areas, and major transport routes. The hubs will be built in locations across the UK, including East Kilbride, Exeter, Tamworth, Tilbury, Ballymena, and Swansea.
The programme will support four key initiatives:
- eFREIGHT 2030 – A consortium focused on electric HGV charging hubs and articulated electric trucks for major logistics companies like Marks & Spencer and Eddie Stobart.
- Project Electric Freightway – Led by GRIDSERVE, this project will establish a motorway-based charging network.
- ZENFreight – A collaboration between truck manufacturers such as DAF, Scania, and Volvo, conducting electric and hydrogen HGV trials.
- HyHAUL – Aimed at developing a hydrogen refuelling supply chain along the M4 corridor.
HGVs currently account for nearly one-fifth of domestic transport emissions, producing approximately 18.2 million metric tonnes of CO2e annually. Minister Greenwood emphasised that the shift to zero-emission transport is not just about reducing emissions but also positioning the UK as a global leader in green energy innovation. “The businesses that move first won’t just keep up, they’ll get ahead,” she said.
The announcement has received mixed reactions from key industry bodies, with both support and concerns raised about the long-term viability of the plan.
The business group Logistics UK welcomed the infrastructure investment but questioned why the government continues to overlook the role of low-carbon fuels in the transition to net zero.
“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,” said Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy at Logistics UK.
She urged the government to support low-carbon fuels like Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which can be used immediately in diesel engines to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.
The RHA expressed strong support for the initiative, calling it a “long-awaited” development that would provide greater confidence for operators planning to transition to zero-emission fleets.
“This development will give operators more confidence when planning the transition of their fleets to non-diesel vehicles. We look forward to seeing more information about these sites and will continue to work with governments, stakeholders, and our industry on charting a supportive journey to net zero,” stated Chris Ashley, RHA Senior Policy Lead.