Committee publication · Correspondence · 28 January 2026
Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to follow-up evidence in response to a question raised during the oral evidence session on 21 July 2025, dated 20 January 2026
From: Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Inquiry: Work of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Summary
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander writes to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee following up on oral evidence from July 2025 regarding decarbonising the UK logistics sector. The letter outlines Department for Transport plans across road freight (zero-emission HGVs, low-carbon fuels, charging infrastructure), rail (further electrification), aviation (sustainable aviation fuel), maritime (£448m R&D funding, 30% emissions reduction by 2030), and electricity grid upgrades needed to support transport electrification.
Key findings
- HGVs represent 5% of road mileage but 16% of UK domestic transport greenhouse gas emissions; transition to zero-emission HGVs is the principal decarbonisation method
- Department is consulting on new UK regulatory framework for HGV CO2 emissions and options to increase low-carbon fuel targets under RTFO scheme
- Plug-in Van and Truck Grants offer up to £25,000 for large trucks; grants confirmed through 2027. £30m Depot Charging Scheme launched July 2025 to support fleet operator infrastructure installation
- ZE HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator funding hundreds of vehicles with most chargers in place by March 2026; fewer than 10% of freight train kilometres powered by electric traction despite 39% rail network electrification
- Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy targets 30% shipping emissions reduction by 2030 and 80% by 2040 (relative to 2008); £448m announced for maritime R&D through UK SHORE programme extending to 2030
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Heidi Alexander MP, Bill Esterson MP, Mike Reader MP, Ed Miliband, Keir Mather MP, Department for Transport, Freight Council, Great British Railways, National Energy Systems Operator (NESO)
Notable line
“(HGVs) were a 5% share of road mileage in Great Britain yet contributed 16% of UK domestic transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
Key Quotes
“In 2023, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were a 5% share of road mileage in Great Britain yet contributed 16% of UK domestic transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
“… the principal way is by transitioning to a fully zero emission (ZE) HGV fleet”
“DfT has confirmed the grants will continue through to at least 2027, with grant levels for the 2026/27 financial year to be confirmed in due course.”
“… we launched a £30m Depot Charging Scheme to support HGV, van and coach fleet operators with the cost of installing this infrastructure at their depots.”
“… domestic shipping emitted more GHGs than domestic aviation, bus and rail combined in”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗