Outdated regulations are stifling electric HGVs

One of the biggest barriers to decarbonising heavy road transport isn’t a lack of ambition from operators. It’s regulation that hasn’t kept pace with technology.

Our latest RHA Payload Loss Survey Report highlights a fundamental challenge facing the transition to electric HGVs. Current weight regulations mean many 44-tonne electric vehicles cannot carry the same payload as their diesel equivalents. The result is simple: more journeys, more vehicles, higher costs and reduced productivity.

Our evidence shows that:

• 88% of operators surveyed run vehicles that don’t benefit from the current weight derogation.
• More than half said they would be unable to complete even half of their deliveries with today’s payload restrictions.
•Current regulations can increase operating costs by almost 19% for affected electric HGVs.

This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about ensuring regulation supports innovation while maintaining safety and protecting our infrastructure.

The RHA is calling on Government to:

- Increase the authorised gross vehicle weight for affected electric HGVs from 44 to 46 tonnes.
- Review axle weight, vehicle length and turning circle regulations.
- Establish a cross-sector technical working group to develop an evidence-based solution that works for operators, manufacturers, regulators and the public.

If we are serious about delivering Net Zero while maintaining an efficient and competitive logistics sector, we must remove the regulatory barriers that are holding operators back.

The industry is ready to play its part. Now we need Government to work with us to create a regulatory framework that enables, rather than constrains, the transition.

Let’s move from ambition to action and ensure policy keeps pace with technology.