New data reveals a decline in UK HGV registrations. But a surge in zero-emission trucks signals a major shift in how organisations will compete and operate.
What’s happening in the UK HGV market?
The UK’s heavy goods vehicle (HGV) sector is facing another quarter of contraction. According to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and reporting from Fleet News, new HGV registrations fell 14.5% in Q3 2025, marking the fifth consecutive quarterly decline.
The slowdown follows three years of post-pandemic growth, reflecting the challenging economic conditions squeezing operators. Rising fuel and insurance costs, driver shortages, and persistent supply chain disruption are all making an impact.
Yet amid the slowdown, there’s a bright spot: Zero-emission HGV registrations surged by more than 340% in Q3, reaching a record 2.4% share of the market. Britain now ranks as Europe’s second-largest zero-emission truck market by volume.
Why does this matter for fleet operators?
The data paints a picture of an industry under pressure but at a turning point. As Nyanya Joof, head of UK at Motive, explained to Fleet News and FleetPoint:
“A dip in HGV registrations highlights the tough conditions facing UK fleet operators — from rising fuel and insurance costs to driver shortages and growing safety concerns. To stay competitive, organisations need to increase efficiency and leverage automation to work smarter.”
For UK operators, that means focusing not just on vehicles, but also on the systems and technology that keep drivers and operations moving.
How can automation help fleets navigate economic and operational headwinds?
While electrification is a central focus of Net Zero — the government’s official plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 — automated tools are quietly transforming fleet management.
Technology enables operators to:
- Automate compliance checks, scheduling, and other manual processes.
- Predict maintenance issues before they cause costly downtime.
- Identify fuel and energy inefficiencies in real-time.
- Reduce collision risk through AI-powered insights into driver behaviour.
- Increase visibility across vehicles, assets, and drivers.
By combining telematics, safety, and compliance in a single unified platform, Motive can help organisations with fleets uncover hidden inefficiencies and act on data instantly. Modern technologies enable operators to do more with less — safely, sustainably, and profitably.
Infrastructure delays are slowing the shift to zero emissions
The SMMT data also underscores a major barrier to adoption: A lack of completed infrastructure. Despite growing interest in zero-emission trucks, many operators face long waits — up to 15 years — for depot grid connections.
In a recent Fleet Point article, Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, noted:
“Fast-tracking depot grid connections is critical to help operators plan and invest — and for manufacturers to continue delivering the green growth Britain needs.”
Without reliable charging and refuelling infrastructure, even forward-thinking operators struggle to scale. However, with the UK government’s new Depot Charging Scheme and industry investment accelerating, momentum is building.
Automation and electrification: the next frontier
As fleet-based organisations begin integrating zero-emission HGVs, they’ll face more operational complexity — from managing charging schedules to balancing energy use.
Automated technologies will play a critical role in helping operators carry out important tasks, like those below.
- Combining fuel and electric data for holistic fleet insights.
Operators can see true performance across mixed fleets, compare utilisation, and identify cost-saving opportunities. - Streamlining fuel insights and compliance reporting.
Automated reporting helps reduce manual work while supporting sustainability and regulatory compliance. - Gaining more accurate visibility into EV performance.
Motive’s acquisition of the software startup InceptEV gives customers the power to assess EV performance based on real-world conditions, such as terrain, weather, traffic, cargo, and driving behaviour. As a result, customers can transition to electrification more smoothly. - Planning more efficient, economical routes.
Enhanced data allows operators to forecast battery needs and charging requirements to maintain productivity and control costs.
The bottom line
operators to rethink what efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability really mean in today’s market.
As Nyanya Joof put it:
“Now is the time for organisations to invest in AI so they can automate manual work, lower costs, reduce downtime, and build more resilient transport and logistics networks.”
Those that embrace this concept and set their sights on electrification will lead tomorrow’s logistics landscape — driving the UK toward a more connected, sustainable, and competitive transport future.
