Diesel vehicles are on the brink of disappearing from UK roads as businesses increasingly adopt electric fleets, driven by significant cost advantages. New data reveals that diesel fuel accounts for about 33% of total operating costs for business fleets, while electric fleets spend only 3% of their operating costs on electricity, according to industry leader Voltempo.
Simon Smith, CEO of Voltempo, highlights the vulnerability of British haulage to fuel price spikes, stating, “British haulage has always been one fuel crisis away from a margin squeeze. That exposure doesn’t have to be structural. The charging infrastructure is here.”
Smith emphasizes that electric fleet adoption isn’t merely a cost-saving decision anymore but a strategic commercial choice. “Customers are now favouring hauliers who have embraced the switch to electric,” he explains.
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Leading companies like Welch’s are investing heavily in electric and low-emission technologies such as hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), forging strong partnerships, fostering innovation, and participating in initiatives like eFreight 2030. These proactive moves are drawing new business and positioning firms for the future.
A key enabler in this transition is Voltempo’s nationwide charging network, which Smith describes as “critical.” He points out that no single haulier can establish nationwide coverage alone, but together, this network supports scaling electric fleets beyond just local operations to national reach.
Looking ahead, Voltempo is pioneering an innovative autonomous rigid truck without a traditional cab. This concept vehicle extends from 12 to 15.6 metres in length and boosts gross vehicle weight capacity from 32 to 42 tonnes. By removing the cab and redesigning the vehicle as an efficient “box on wheels,” the consortium aims to launch a new generation of zero-emission freight vehicles optimized for autonomous operation.
This project is part of the broader eFreight 2030 initiative, led by Voltempo, which focuses on accelerating the adoption of electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and supporting infrastructure development across the UK, signaling a transformative shift toward sustainable freight transport.