Europe’s major truck manufacturers are preparing for stronger competition as Chinese‑built electric trucks begin arriving in the European market from 2026. Well‑known European brands such as Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, and Iveco are facing the prospect of new rivals offering electric freight trucks at much lower prices , while still promising modern technology and long driving range. Industry reports suggest several Chinese manufacturers plan to start selling heavy electric t

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned that current vehicle weight rules are making it much harder for operators to switch to electric lorries, even though the industry is under pressure to cut emissions. In a recent report, the RHA says electric HGVs can carry significantly less freight than diesel equivalents because their heavy batteries take up so much of the vehicle’s allowed weight. As a result, electric lorries may be less efficient and more expensive to use for

Fleet operators are being warned not to become complacent about road safety after new figures showed that progress in reducing serious road accidents has stalled. Industry experts say the latest data should act as a wake‑up call for organisations that run vehicles for work, as accident levels are no longer falling at the rate seen in previous years. Figures covering England’s major road network show little change in the number of people killed or seriously injured, while earl

Isuzu has confirmed that its D‑Max pick‑up will get a new 2.2‑litre diesel engine when the updated model arrives in the UK in July 2026. The change is designed to make the D‑Max easier and more comfortable to use for work, without altering the things owners value most about it. The new engine replaces the current 1.9‑litre diesel and offers stronger pulling power while also being more efficient. Isuzu says the update is about improving day‑to‑day usability rather than chasing

Toyota has announced plans to join Daimler Truck and Volvo Group in a joint venture focused on hydrogen-powered trucks. The move would see Toyota become an equal partner in cellcentric, a company developing hydrogen fuel systems for heavy commercial vehicles. Cellcentric was set up by Daimler Truck and Volvo to develop alternative power systems for trucks that need long range and quick refuelling. By bringing Toyota on board, the companies hope to speed up progress and share

Volkswagen has unveiled a major upgrade to the VW Caddy, refreshing one of the UK’s most popular small vans with updated styling and improved in‑cab technology. The changes are designed to keep the Caddy relevant for modern fleets, trades and business users, while retaining the practicality that has made it a long‑standing favourite. The upgraded Caddy builds on the fifth‑generation model launched in 2020 and reflects Volkswagen’s focus on improving usability, versatility and

Kia has unveiled the PV5 Crew, a flexible electric van designed to switch quickly between carrying people and cargo for fleet and business use.

The Government has confirmed a £27 billion investment in England’s road network, setting out plans to maintain, renew and upgrade motorways and major A‑roads over the next five years as part of its third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). The funding will focus on improving the Strategic Road Network, which includes England’s motorways and key A‑roads managed by National Highways. Ministers say the investment is intended to support economic growth, improve journey reliability a

Renault is set to unveil the Trafic E‑Tech electric van in the UK for the first time at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, marking a significant step forward in the brand’s electric light commercial vehicle strategy. The new Trafic E‑Tech will be showcased at the NEC in Birmingham, giving fleet operators their first opportunity to see Renault’s next‑generation electric mid‑size van ahead of UK order books opening later in 2026. Unlike earlier electric vans adapted from dies

Rising fuel volatility linked to the Middle East conflict is sharpening fleet focus on electric vehicles, energy security and long term operating risk.

Fleet operators using light commercial vehicles for international work are being urged to prepare for a major regulatory change coming into force in July 2026, which will see many vans brought into scope of tachograph and drivers’ hours rules for the first time. Under the new rules, vans and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) over 2.5 tonnes that are used for cross‑border transport into the EU will be required to operate with second‑generation smart tachographs. This change for

DPD’s decision to open two new distribution centres in the South East underlines the continued growth of parcel delivery volumes — and the increasing pressure being placed on commercial vehicle fleets operating in the region. The parcel operator has opened new regional hubs in Crawley and Sittingbourne as part of a wider UK network expansion. The new facilities are designed to increase capacity and support additional delivery routes, reflecting sustained demand for next‑day a

Ford has warned that the UK’s push towards electric vans risks moving faster than many fleets can realistically manage, with charging downtime and infrastructure gaps creating growing operational and financial risks for businesses. The manufacturer says real‑world fleet data shows that most van operators would need to charge during the working day, potentially leading to lost productivity, higher running costs and increased exposure to operational disruption. Ford is now call

The UK’s transition to electric vans continues to fall short of Government expectations, despite steady growth in demand and wider availability of battery‑electric models. Latest registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that electric vans account for around 11.8% of the new van market so far this year, less than half of the 24% share required under the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. While sales of electric vans are

UK haulage and logistics businesses are warning that new border rules could make international road transport into Europe much harder – unless professional drivers are given a Schengen exemption. At the centre of the issue is a rule that limits how long UK drivers can spend in Europe. Since Brexit, British drivers are classed as non‑EU nationals. That means they can only stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days in any rolling 180‑day period. Until now, this rule has been difficu

Iveco has revealed the world’s first road‑ready electric van that can charge wirelessly, both when parked and while driving. The new version of the Iveco eDaily has been fitted with technology that allows it to receive power from charging coils installed beneath the road surface, removing the need to plug in with a cable. The van has been developed for use on the A35 Brebemi motorway in northern Italy, where charging infrastructure has been built directly into the road. As th

The UK’s electric vehicle charging network has reached a major milestone, with new analysis from the Department for Transport (DfT) suggesting there are now more public EV chargers than petrol and diesel fuel pumps nationwide. According to the DfT, there were over 116,000 publicly available EV chargers across the UK at the start of 2026. By comparison, the department estimates there are around 61,000 fuel pumps, based on the number of petrol stations and average fuelling posi

The UK government has announced a significant increase to home and workplace electric vehicle (EV) charge point grants, a move designed to make EV adoption easier and more affordable for businesses, fleet operators and employees. From 1 April 2026, the maximum grant available for installing an EV charge point at home or work will rise from £350 to up to £500 per socket, covering almost half the cost of a typical installation. The enhanced support will be available until March

Octopus Energy has launched a new service designed to make it easier for businesses to move their fleets over to electric vehicles, as more companies look to cut emissions and manage rising fuel costs. Called Octopus Fleet , the new offering brings together charging, payments and energy solutions in one place, aiming to remove some of the practical barriers that often slow down fleet electrification. The service is aimed at businesses at all stages of the transition, from tho

2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for fleet operators, as proactive fleet management moves from a “nice to have” to an operational necessity. Industry experts say rising costs, tougher regulations and growing vehicle complexity are pushing fleets to move away from reactive decision‑making and towards smarter, data‑led management. For many years, fleet technology focused on collecting information – vehicle location, mileage, fuel use and driver behaviour. But simply hav