The Scottish Government has announced nearly £2 million in new funding to help accelerate the transition of the country’s haulage industry toward zero-emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
The funding package includes £1 million to help small and medium-sized fleet operators plan the transition away from diesel vehicles, alongside an additional £900,000 to strengthen workforce skills needed to support battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks.
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Funding Supports Fleet Transition Planning
The largest portion of the funding has been allocated to the SME Fleet Analysis Support Fund, which provides grants of up to £15,000 for eligible small and medium-sized businesses.
The program is intended to help operators assess their existing fleets, identify suitable zero-emission vehicle technologies and develop investment strategies for future fleet replacement.
According to the Scottish Government, the initiative has already generated significant interest from fleet operators seeking practical guidance on vehicle electrification, prompting the expansion of the program to support additional businesses.
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Skills Investment Targets Zero-Emission Technologies
A further £900,000 has been committed to the next phase of the Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle Skills Challenge Fund.
The initiative supports colleges, training providers and industry organizations in developing the technical expertise needed to maintain and operate battery-electric and hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles.
The government said the new funding will focus on projects that introduce innovative approaches to workforce training, promote careers in the zero-emission transport sector and improve access to skills required for heavy vehicle decarbonization.
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Stephen Flynn, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, said strong demand from fleet operators highlighted the need for additional support.
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“We have seen strong interest from operators who want practical support to plan their transition, and I’m pleased to commit £1 million to build on that demand as we move into the next phase of the SME Fleet Analysis Support fund.”
Flynn said reducing emissions from heavy goods vehicles would require both investment in vehicles and development of the workforce needed to support new technologies.
“Reducing emissions from HGVs is essential to delivering our Climate Change Plan, but that cannot be done without the required skills which is why we are investing a further £900,000 in the next phase of the Skills Challenge Fund.”
He added that the combined funding package is intended to help transport operators make informed decisions as they modernize their fleets while improving the sector’s productivity and long-term resilience.
“This funding will help the industry take informed, realistic steps towards zero-emission fleets, cutting emissions while strengthening productivity and resilience across the sector.”
