As the UK marks Net Zero Week 2025, attention is once again turning to the industries and systems that underpin the country’s ability to meet its climate goals. Among the most critical and complex areas of focus is the decarbonisation of heavy-duty transport.
Discover how iconsys is enabling the shift to zero emission heavy transport.
In this blog, we explore the urgent need to decarbonise the UK’s freight and logistics sector, and how iconsys is helping bridge the gap between ambition and infrastructure. From powering hydrogen and battery systems to delivering advanced SCADA and energy optimisation platforms, learn how we’re adding value across the transport supply chain with future-ready, technology-agnostic solutions.
The haulage sector is the backbone of UK industry, enabling the movement of goods, raw materials and components across supply chains. However, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) represent a disproportionate share of national transport emissions. While they account for just 5% of vehicle miles travelled, HGVs are responsible for nearly 20% of domestic transport greenhouse gas emissions.
This makes the sector a key target for urgent action. And with zero emission vehicle mandates now on the horizon, the industry must accelerate its transition from reliance on diesel to a future powered by clean energy and advanced control systems.
The UK Government has committed to ending the sale of all new non-zero emission HGVs by 2040. For vehicles under 26 tonnes, that deadline is even sooner: 2035. These targets send a strong market signal, but meeting them requires more than vehicle innovation. It demands a coordinated roll-out of infrastructure capable of supporting zero emission freight at scale.
A recent call for evidence from the Department for Transport outlines the significant challenges ahead. Operators, OEMs, infrastructure providers and energy specialists all face key decisions about:
How and where to deliver high-power charging and hydrogen refuelling networks
What upgrades are needed to support depot-based charging and storage
How to ensure grid capacity and resilience in areas of high logistical demand
What digital systems are required to optimise operations and minimise downtime
These are not trivial issues. Zero emission vehicles often require megawatt-level charging and sophisticated thermal and energy management. Without comprehensive infrastructure planning, early adopters risk bottlenecks that limit scale and reduce return on investment.
It is important to recognise that the technological capability already exists. Vehicle manufacturers are delivering new models of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks that can meet a wide range of operational needs, including regional haulage, last-mile delivery and specialised heavy-duty use cases.
But as adoption increases, the complexity of managing power availability, energy storage and system interoperability grows. This is where engineering expertise, systems integration and industrial automation come to the forefront.
Without properly designed infrastructure and control systems, the promise of zero emission transport cannot be fully realised. What is needed now is a joined-up approach between manufacturers, government, end users and technology partners to ensure delivery is technically sound, commercially viable and futureproofed.
At iconsys, we understand that moving to zero emission haulage is not just about replacing diesel trucks with electric or hydrogen models. It requires a fundamental shift in how energy is generated, stored, controlled and distributed throughout the transport value chain.
Our involvement lies not only in the support of vehicle production itself, but also in enabling the clean energy systems required to power that transition. This includes manufacturing support for low emission automotive platforms, as well as control and energy systems that produce and manage key fuels such as hydrogen and battery storage.
SCADA systems providing diagnostics, control and monitoring from hydrogen production facilities through to vehicle fuelling systems
Battery energy storage systems integrated into microgrids for depot-level and fleet-wide energy management
Advanced energy optimisation platforms, both cloud-based and on-site, managing energy flows from solar to battery, battery to vehicle, wind to battery, tidal to grid and more, all aligned with ISO 50001 standards
Tracking and control systems to support real-time fleet energy optimisation
Fire detection and protection systems to safeguard high-risk energy infrastructure
Our expertise spans transportation infrastructure, marine and ports, automotive, onshore and offshore energy sectors, and other manufacturing sectors. We have worked with end users and OEMs to deliver automation and electrification projects aligned with both operational excellence and sustainability goals.
From delivering power management systems for hydrogen electrolysers to automating EV charging systems at industrial scale, we support clients in deploying future-ready energy infrastructure that works reliably, safely and efficiently.
iconsys is technology-agnostic. That means we are not tied to any specific manufacturer, platform or fuel type. Our recommendations are based on performance, safety, scalability and long-term value, not on vendor partnerships.
This allows us to help clients assess the technical and commercial suitability of both battery electric and hydrogen solutions based on their specific use cases, load profiles and infrastructure constraints. In many cases, hybrid systems and staged rollouts are appropriate, and we bring the systems integration expertise needed to manage that complexity.
As zero emission HGV mandates become reality, it is vital that industrial and logistics organisations have trusted engineering partners who can navigate technical uncertainties and ensure resilience. At iconsys, we combine domain knowledge with a practical understanding of industrial environments to deliver robust, compliant and high-performance systems.
Net Zero Week is more than a public awareness campaign. It is a call to action for UK industry to lead the next wave of sustainable transformation. The decarbonisation of freight is no longer a theoretical challenge. It is now a commercial, operational and regulatory imperative.
To meet the UK's carbon goals, we must transition from pilot schemes to large-scale deployments. That means upgrading not just vehicles, but the full supporting infrastructure: power systems, control layers, software platforms and safety technologies.
iconsys is ready to support this transition with expertise, objectivity and proven delivery capability.
Let’s build a heavy transport system that is fit for a net zero future. Explore our solutions for energy optimisation, SCADA, and clean fuel systems at www.iconsys.co.uk.