Logistics UK: Invest in low-carbon fuels to accelerate decarbonization today

The U.K.’s Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood recently announced plans for 54 new charging and hydrogen-refueling hubs for zero-emission heavy-goods vehicles (HGVs).

Business group Logistics U.K. said while this is a significant investment in infrastructure, it is challenging why the government continues to overlook the role of low-carbon fuels in helping the U.K. achieve its decarbonization goals.

“Logistics U.K. members are fully committed to decarbonizing, and many are already trialing or have adopted alternative fuels and technologies to help achieve net zero,” said Michelle Gardner, Logistics U.K.’s deputy director of policy.

“The industry is technology-neutral in its approach and will adopt any solution that is operationally and commercially viable,” Gardner said.

“However, significant barriers remain on the journey to net zero for all transport modes, and it must be recognized that it will take considerable time for zero-emission technologies to be fully adopted and integrated into the logistics system,” she added.

While Gardner said the new charging and refueling hubs for HGVs are welcome, “infrastructure will be needed at scale to keep our industry and the goods we deliver moving across the country and around the world,” she explained.

Given this, Gardner said urgent support must be given to the use and production of low-carbon fuels (LCFs) across logistics transport.

“While the long-term goal is zero-emission technologies, LCFs can play a key role in the interim,” she said.

“Fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) can be used in diesel engines without any modifications, meaning the industry could effectively reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent overnight,” Gardner added.

Logistics U.K. is one of the U.K.’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses that are vital to keeping the U.K. trading and more than 7 million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods.

With decarbonization, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important.

Logistics U.K. supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics.

The organization said it is the only business group that represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.