The Department for Transport has today 19.10.23) launched a call for evidence on zero emission infrastructure for heavy goods vehicles and coaches. The call for evidence is seeking information on:

- the current and future supply, uptake and use of zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and coaches across the UK
- their refuelling and recharging requirements

To inform a Net Zero Infrastructure strategy to be published in 2024.

HGVs produce around 20% of the UK domestic transport emissions. The UK Government has already announced the ban of sales of new diesel and petrol HGVs from 2035 (under 26 tonnes – 2040 for larger vehicles). It acknowledges that there is still some way to go before battery or hydrogen can deliver the effectiveness of petrol or diesel for larger vehicles but expects these to be part of the solution in the future.

The infrastructure strategy will set strategic direction and outline the respective roles and responsibilities of both government and industry to ensure the delivery of the refuelling and recharging infrastructure required to meet the end of sale dates for new non-zero emission HGVs.

For the purposes of this call for evidence, an HGV refers to Class III vehicles, belonging to vehicle categories N2 and N3. Government is inviting views from manufacturers and users on:

  • the current zero emission HGV markets  
  • transitional technologies for the HGV sector 
  • zero emission HGV refuelling and recharging

 How to respond:

BRC will be collating an industry response and hopes that DfT will shortly provide a date for an agreed follow-up meeting to the member roundtable in September. If you would like to provide views on this call for evidence via BRC (members only), please do so by Wednesday 6 December to nicki.hunt@brc.org.uk