Trade body describes the Government’s new electric HGV plan as a ‘monumental challenge’

Oliver Dean | 17th February 2026 | Jobs, Trade Associations, Uncategorised

Despite government plans to reduce costs of electric HGVs by up to £120,000, demand has still fallen (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

With only 1 in 70 new HGV's being electric, the government must assist with infrastructure investment says industry leader

The UK Government’s decision in January to launch a package to slash the cost of electric lorries has failed to prevent a downturn in the market, figures released by the trade body Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Monday reveal. Ministers announced an expansion of the Plug-in Truck Grant earlier this year, extending support for zero-emission HGVs and increasing maximum grants to £120,000 for the largest electric models. The move was designed to reduce upfront costs of battery-powered trucks and accelerate fleet decarbonisation ahead of the planned 2040 net-zero target. At the time, the Department for Transport framed the measure as a “boost for British business,” arguing that lowering capital costs would improve cash flow for operators and stimulate investment in new vehicles. However, new industry data suggests the incentive has not translated into overall market growth. Registrations of HGVs have dropped by 10% over the past year. Appearing on BBC's Today Program...

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