The UK’s 1,000th zero emission truck was registered during 2025, with electric HGV sales up a whopping 171% in the year according to the latest figures from motor industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. 

Electric trucks make up a paltry amount of overall sales though – the overall market was down 10% in the year, with 40,504 HGVs sold overall, and just 587 of those were zero emission options, representing 1.4% of the market.

The SMMT says that there are now 21 zero emission truck options on the market, including the Mercedes Actros above, and that demand was growing for electric options thanks partly to the choice of models but also to the renewed plug-in truck grant. 

An £18m boost to the fund was announced at the beginning of the year, with operators getting up to £120,000 off the price off a new eHGV, which puts the £3,750 electric car grant into perspective. 

SMMT boss Mike Hawes says that the slow rollout of the infrastructure needed is holding back HGV operators from making the switch to electric: “Innovative new models are helping to lift zero emission truck uptake but to unlock real growth, we need faster depot grid connections and planning approvals – only then can more operators invest and capitalise on the benefits of zero emission fleets.”

The SMMT says that hauliers are facing lengthy delays on the permissions needed to install the substantial grid connections they need to charge electric trucks up at their home depots. 

If any operators have regular jobs that go somewhere between Baldock services near Letchworth Garden City on the A1(M) and Exeter services on the M5 then Gridserve has their back – it opened new eHGV charging facilities at the sites in January, with plans to roll out more through 2026. 

Room for everyone at Baldock services on the A1(M) – nearly 1% of UK's electric trucks in this picture though