Zero-emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) participating in a UK government-funded demonstration programme have travelled more than 2.2 million miles and transported over 550,000 tonnes of freight, according to the programme’s first annual report.
Published by Innovate UK in partnership with WSP, the report details progress under the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, which is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).
To date, the programme’s three active projects, Electric Freightway, eFreight 2030 and ZENFreight, have deployed more than 240 zero-emission trucks and established over 40 charging sites across the UK.
Monitoring data reportedly shows that the vehicles have completed more than 85,000 trips, with battery-electric HGVs weighing up to 44 tonnes operating on commercial routes across the UK.
The report estimates that the vehicles have achieved an 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with equivalent diesel operations, with cumulative CO₂ savings exceeding 4,000 tonnes.
By the end of 2026, the programme is expected to have deployed approximately 300 vehicles and established 70 infrastructure sites.
Claire Spooner, director of the Innovation Service at Innovate UK, said: “Zero-emission HGVs are already demonstrating their potential in real-world freight operations across the UK. This first annual report marks an important milestone for the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, providing valuable insight into what is working, where challenges remain and what will be needed to support the wider transition to zero-emission freight.”
ZEHID has entered a five-year monitoring and evaluation phase running until 2031. This will see researchers assess vehicle performance, infrastructure utilisation, operating costs, emissions and the operational implications of adopting zero-emission HGVs.
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