29.7.2025 | Industry matters

A defining moment for logistics
The road to decarbonisation is no longer theoretical. With increasing regulation, mounting customer pressure, and growing public scrutiny, the haulage and logistics sector stands at a pivotal crossroads. We can either embrace the shift to cleaner transport solutions or risk being left behind.

At Swain Group, we’ve chosen to lead. We believe the time for pilots, pilots about pilots, and watching from the sidelines is over. The shift to zero-emission HGVs isn’t just a goal on a distant horizon—it’s happening now. And we’re proud to be among the first movers proving that electric HGVs can work in live, demanding logistics environments.

From concept to concrete: electric HGVs in live operation
In response to the Government’s recent £1 million fund to accelerate the transition to zero-emission HGVs, we moved swiftly. Our approach? Practical application, not just box-ticking trials.

From our London Gateway depot, we’re operating five different electric HGVs from leading manufacturers—flatbeds, curtainsiders, and container vehicles—under full-weight, real-world conditions. These aren’t showroom vehicles on quiet routes; they’re out with customers every day, collecting invaluable data on range, charging times, driver experience, downtime, and suitability.

By September, all five vehicles will be in regular use, feeding back insights not just to us, but to OEMs and industry stakeholders who want to see how these vehicles perform.

Beyond the truck: tackling depot infrastructure
While many in the sector are waiting for OEMs or public charging networks to catch up, we’re focused on a deeper challenge: depot infrastructure.

At London Gateway, we’re investing in scalable, future-proofed DC charging infrastructure, designed to integrate seamlessly into our logistics operation. This work is far from easy. It’s technical, it’s expensive, and it demands long-term thinking. But we believe it’s the only route to making electric HGVs commercially viable at scale.

Collaboration, not competition
No single operator can drive this transformation alone. That’s why we launched eHGV – A Sustainable Future, a fast-growing LinkedIn community of over 550 industry professionals—from hauliers and OEMs to energy providers and policy experts.

The aim? Open collaboration. Sharing what works, what doesn’t, and where the gaps are. It’s not about who gets there first—it’s about ensuring the whole sector gets there together.

To that end, we’re offering other operators the chance to trial electric vehicles on their own loads, using our network. It gives them a low-risk, first-hand understanding of what electrification could mean for their business, without jumping in blind.

The road ahead
Electrification isn’t easy. But neither is standing still in a changing world.

The clock is ticking. Government funding is in place, public expectation is rising, and the technology is ready, if we’re willing to step up.

At Swain Group, we’re not waiting for someone else to lead. We’re doing the work, asking the tough questions, and building the infrastructure that will allow electric HGVs to become more than a headline.

For those ready to move from talk to action, we welcome collaboration. The journey is just beginning—and there’s room on the road for everyone.

Useful links:
Join the eHGV – A Sustainable Future LinkedIn community
Learn more about the Government’s depot charging scheme

Swain Group