Decarbonising road freight is a gradual transition, not a switch
Battery-electric HGVs, hydrogen and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel are all part of the conversation around lower-carbon road freight, but each comes with practical trade-offs today around range, refuelling infrastructure, vehicle cost and payload.
Where each option currently stands
Understanding the current state of each technology helps set realistic expectations for your own transport plan.
- HVO fuel — a drop-in diesel alternative usable in most existing HGVs with minimal modification, offering a lower well-to-wheel carbon footprint without new vehicle investment
- Battery-electric artics — increasingly viable for shorter, predictable regional routes, but currently limited by charging infrastructure and payload trade-offs for longer distances
- Hydrogen fuel cell — promising for long-distance heavy freight but still limited by refuelling infrastructure availability
What shippers can do now
You don't need to own a vehicle to benefit from lower-carbon transport choices. When you book through Johnson's Haulage, we can factor sustainability preferences into carrier selection — including HVO-fuelled options where available — and help you report on the transport element of your Scope 3 emissions.
Talk to our team.
Get a tailored quote or speak to our operations team about your transport requirements.