Scotland unveils HGV Decarbonisation Pathway to accelerate net zero transition

The Zero Emission Truck Taskforce, comprising members from haulage and logistics, energy (including Hydrogen and electricity), truck manufacturing, government, unions, and commercial finance, collaborated to devise the pathway. The 29-page document identifies four primary challenges associated with transitioning to zero-emission trucks: energy infrastructure, financial models, confidence in technological and commercial changes, and workforce skills.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop launched the pathway during a keynote address to the Net Zero Scotland Projects Conference. “It’s a great pleasure to launch the HGV decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland and to do so at this event reflects the extraordinary collaborative nature of this work,” she said. “This partnership with road haulage, manufacturing, energy, government, union and commercial finance sectors is absolutely key to accelerating the transition towards zero emission trucks.

“Scotland’s economy – and society as a whole – rely on goods being moved with speed and efficiency, but these freight movements emit substantial greenhouse gases. We have worked collectively to understand and address the hurdles to transition. My thanks go to every member of the Zero Emission Truck Taskforce for their time and expertise developing and, going forward, delivering the pathway. No single sector or organisation can decarbonise without building new relationships across boundaries and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve – and inspire other sectors to achieve.”

“The HGV Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland marks an important moment in the journey towards Net Zero,” added the Head of Environment Policy at the Road Haulage Association, Chris Ashley. “Decarbonising lorries whilst maintaining the high levels of service the public expect is complex with many structural barriers, such as financing the transition and providing the required energy infrastructure, to be addressed.

“The Pathway allows Scottish authorities and industry to start navigating the difficult issues that lie ahead and a focus to ensure that businesses, including our vital small businesses, feel supported.”

The Zero Emission Truck Taskforce, convened in May 2022, meticulously studied background papers and engaged in working groups to develop strategic actions addressing challenges in HGV decarbonisation. The resulting HGV Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland outlines key challenges and actions stakeholders, including the Scottish Government, will undertake over the next three years. The plan aims to make significant progress and gather evidence to refine actions required to complete the transition.