Net zero phase out dates at risk without urgent action, warns RHA 

Major industry decarbonisation survey has revealed uncertainty remains high- Government must provide support now if Net Zero plans are to stay on-track 

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) recently ran an industry-wide Net Zero Survey amongst HGV, coach and van operators. The results show that substantial support will be needed to help businesses decarbonise and to meet the UK’s diesel lorry phase out dates.  

Coach operators want clarity and certainty on dates to plan, prepare and invest.  
Two-fifths of van operators surveyed either have electric vehicles or plan to within the next five years.
 

Concerns raised by businesses must be overcome. These include the current cost, suitability, availability and performance of zero emission vehicles. 

The RHA is calling for an urgent action plan from Government that includes: 

• A commitment to provide urgent financing options for businesses. 

• A commitment to support low and no carbon fuel alternatives such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

• A commitment to green infrastructure investment nationwide: speed up planning and grid connections, and provide more charging and refuelling sites for HGVs, coaches and vans.
  

RHA Managing Director, Richard Smith said: 
 
"Our sector is the lifeblood of the UK economy, yet zero emission vehicle affordability, availability and performance remain major barriers to decarbonisation. With responses from businesses of all sizes, we're calling for urgent support to address these challenges. 

Our message is clear: Without decisive action now from decision-makers to support businesses, questions will be asked from across industry about whether the 2035 and 2040 diesel phase-out deadlines are achievable.”

Richard added:

“The RHA is committed to finding solutions and making the road to net zero achievable and affordable to the sector we represent. We’ll continue to outline our recommendations and work collaboratively, and our survey findings will guide future discussions with ministers.” 

A full breakdown of our recommendations and results, including stats for specific sectors, is in the attached report.

  ENDS 

Notes to editors: 

• The RHA ran the Net Zero Survey from 3rd March to 15th April 2025 amongst van, HGV and coach operators nationwide. 

• As things stand, 70% of HGV operators surveyed have no plans to add zero emission vehicles to their fleets.

• Coach operators need more clarity on phase-out dates to plan and invest properly. As things stand, 75% of coach operators surveyed have no plans to add zero emission vehicles to their fleets.

• 9% of HGV operators surveyed were operating electric HGVs, with a further 14% of operators planning to bring electric HGVs into their fleets within the next five years.  

• Two-fifths of van operators surveyed either have electric commercial vehicles in their fleets or plan to within the next five years. 

• The biggest barriers stopping HGV operators from going electric are limited range ( 45% said this was their main concern), high vehicle purchase costs ( 38%), and losing payload space due to heavy batteries ( 30% of first and second choice barriers).

• The Green Finance Institute has estimated that £100bn of additional finance is needed to invest in zero emission HGVs.

• 12% of HGV operators surveyed plan on introducing hydrogen vehicles within the next 5 years. 

 
You can read the full survey breakdown in our report HERE