What are the pros and cons of electric trucks for UK fleets?

 Electric trucks are becoming a more common sight on UK roads, but they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution for all fleet operators.

From lower running costs and reduced emissions to range limitations and charging downtime, there’s a lot for operators to consider. It’s no surprise that many haulage businesses are starting to ask the same question. Are electric trucks right for my operation? Like any major change, the answer depends on your routes, loads and priorities.

To help you weigh things up, we’ve pulled together the pros and cons as they currently stand today to help you decide what’s right for your fleet.

Environmental impact

One of the strongest arguments in favour of electric trucks is the environmental impact they can make. A recent study by the UK government revealed that transport is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, contributing to roughly 31%¹. Of this, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) account for 16%², despite only making up a small percentage (1.3%) of the overall vehicles on the road³.

Based on these figures, we can see that switching even a small number of trucks from fuel-powered to electric can make a big difference.

Potential to lower running costs

Electric vehicles are usually cheaper to run than fuel powered equivalents⁴. Some estimations show that electrifying HGV fleets could save fleet operators roughly £2.3 billion per year⁵.

Quieter operations

Electric trucks being quieter isn’t just a nice-to-have, it also supports ESG (short for Environmental, Social, Governance) expectations (which you can learn more about here). The social aspect of ESG focuses on how a business impacts local communities, employees and the wider public’s health and wellbeing. Less noise pollution caused by fuel-powered HGVs helps reduce disruption in residential areas (especially at nighttime and early morning) and lowers noise exposure for drivers.

Brand perception

The sustainability of a business is becoming increasingly important. In fact, one study revealed that 72% of customers are happy to pay more for sustainable products⁶. If you make your fleet greener by investing in electric trucks, you are showing a clear commitment to reducing your business’ environmental impact.

For many operators, this can help strengthen their brand reputation and position their business as forward-thinking in an ever-changing industry.

More expensive

Even with grants in place to help, electric trucks are still generally more expensive to begin with, however, in the long run it might be cost effective. Although lower running costs might help balance this out over time, the initial investment might still act as a barrier, particularly for any smaller operators. Another thing worth noting is as well as the higher upfront costs, your insurance may be more expensive on an electric vehicle⁷.

Longer downtime

Fuelling up a truck is quick and easy. You can be back on the road again with minimal downtime, which for a business is key to achieving tight delivery windows. Charging an HGV lorry, however, can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 10 hours depending on the size of the vehicle and the battery/charger⁸.

Lower range

One of the key limitations when it comes to electric trucks is the range. How far an electric HGV can get on a single charge will vary with make and model, but one study showed that the average range of an electric HGV is 220km. This is remarkably less than a diesel HGV which can travel over 1,200km on a full tank⁹.

Infrastructure uncertainty

As of March 2025, there were only five HGV-dedicated charging stations in the UK¹⁰,with Gridserve set to open seven more sites during 2026¹¹. If a charger is unavailable, an unexpected detour comes up, or a charger doesn’t work, it could mean that deliveries are missed and income is lost.

Potentially smaller payloads

Electric batteries are large and heavy.  As HGVs have strict weight limits, that extra battery weight could mean less cargo being carried in an electric HGV compared to fuel-powered trucks.

This may not necessarily impact all scenarios, however it’s worth operators being aware when considering the switch.

The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice and cannot be relied upon as such. Should you have any queries, we recommend that you consult the appropriate professional adviser. The links provided in this document are for reference only. Please note that we are not responsible for the content of any linked site.

Sources:

1. 2025 UK greenhouse gas emissions: provisional figures - statistical release - GOV.UK

2. Consultation on a New Heavy Goods Vehicle CO₂ Emissions Regulatory Framework for the United Kingdom

3. General facts and figures about roads and road use

4. Electric vehicles vs. fuel powered – which are cheaper to run? - cinch

5. Driving electrification in the road freight sector - Energy UK

6. 80+ Sustainability Statistics for 2026: Ultimate List

7. Electric vehicles vs. fuel powered – which are cheaper to run? - cinch

8. https://dhl-freight-connections.com/en/solutions/charging-times-for-electric-trucks-the-goal-is-less-than-30-minutes/

9. The Electric HGV / Lorry Guide 2026 | Electric Car Guide

10. Electric HGV charging ‘superhubs’ planned for motorway services | Charging & infrastructure

11. Electric HGV rollout faces charging infrastructure challenge | Electric trucks