The UK’s zero emission HGV market recorded modest growth during the second quarter of 2026, with 90 battery electric and hydrogen trucks registered between April and June, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Despite a 4.7% year on year increase, zero emission vehicles still account for just 1% of new HGV registrations, highlighting both the progress being made and the scale of the challenge ahead.1
The figures paint a familiar picture for the commercial vehicle sector. Interest in zero emission HGVs continues to build, with more operators moving beyond demonstrations and into early deployment. However, widespread adoption remains constrained by infrastructure availability, vehicle costs and the operational complexity of introducing new technology into established fleets.
The latest registrations also reflect a market that is continuing to evolve. As more vehicles enter service, fleet operators are gaining valuable operational experience and building confidence in where battery electric trucks can be successfully deployed. While adoption remains at an early stage, the sector is steadily moving from proving the technology towards understanding how it can be implemented at scale.
Yet the data also highlights how much work remains if the UK is to meet its long-term decarbonisation ambitions.
For many operators, the challenge is no longer understanding the technology. It is identifying where electrification makes commercial and operational sense. Depot power capacity, charging infrastructure, route suitability and total cost of ownership continue to shape investment decisions, particularly for larger fleets operating around the clock.
This is leading many businesses to adopt a phased approach, focusing first on routes and operations where battery electric vehicles can deliver immediate benefits before expanding deployment as infrastructure and vehicle availability improve.
The SMMT has also highlighted the importance of continued investment and policy support if the market is to accelerate. While registrations increased during the second quarter, year to date zero emission HGV registrations remain below 2025 levels, reflecting the impact of last year’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme and reinforcing the need for continued momentum across the sector.
At the same time, industry bodies continue to call for greater investment in charging infrastructure and policy certainty to support the transition. While vehicle technology is advancing rapidly, many fleet operators argue that progress will ultimately depend on the wider ecosystem developing at the same pace.
The latest figures suggest that zero emission HGV adoption is steadily moving in the right direction, but they also reinforce that the market is still in its early stages. Growth is accelerating from a relatively small base, meaning collaboration between manufacturers, fleet operators, infrastructure providers and government will remain essential over the coming years.
As the industry moves closer to the UK’s planned phase out dates for new diesel HGVs, the focus is increasingly shifting from proving that electric trucks can work to creating the conditions that allow them to scale.
The conversation around fleet electrification continues at Sustainable Logistics LIVE London 2026, where our dedicated panel, The 2027 Reality Check: Can Fleets Actually Electrify?, will bring together fleet operators, infrastructure providers and industry experts from DP World, the Road Haulage Association, Smart Freight Centre, FSEW and Exo Fleets to explore what’s working today, the barriers that remain, and the practical steps businesses should be taking now to prepare for the next phase of HGV electrification. Get your tickets now:Sustainable Logistics LIVE 2026 London Tickets, Tuesday 10 November • 9 AM – 4:30 PM | Eventbrite
1.Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), HGV market down while zero emission uptake holds onto slim share, July 2026.