Commercial Vehicle Decarbonisation: Choosing the Right Technology Pathway

Commercial Vehicle Decarbonisation: Choosing the Right Technology Pathway

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to commercial vehicle decarbonisation. Different fleets, duty cycles and operations require different approaches.

Moving to Zero - South West Wales takes place on 4th November 2026 at Swansea Stadium.

Delivered by Zemo Partnership in collaboration with the Welsh Government, the event brings together fleet operators, industry experts and technology providers to explore the options available today and those shaping the future.

From renewable fuels, hydrogen and retrofit to battery electric vans and HGVs, battery swapping and charging infrastructure, the event will combine expert insight with real-world fleet experience.

The aim is simple: to help fleet operators cut through the complexity, understand their options and make informed decisions about the right technology pathway for their operations.

Info: Registration will be open from 9am for the event. Pastries and refreshments will be served during the arrival networking session.

Info: Fay Bowen will welcome delegates to the event by outlining the national picture of commercial vehicle decarbonisation in South West Wales and the importance of different technological approaches to decarbonisation in certain parts of Wales.

Info: Jonathan Murray will outline the key objectives of the day, breakdown the agenda to be discussed and what the desired outcomes are for delegates to take back to their workplace.

Info: After a recent announcement that Octopus Energy are working with battery giants CATL on deploying battery swapping technology for e-HGVs in the UK by 2027, Will Rowe will explain how that works in practise and how, as a solution, this differs to charging - from cost to infrastructure requirements.

Info: Andy Eastlake will set the strategic context for why commercial vehicle decarbonisation requires multiple technology pathways depending on fleet type, duty cycle and operational requirements.

Info: Renewable fuels offer an immediate opportunity for many commercial fleets to reduce emissions while longer-term decarbonisation technologies continue to develop. Through practical case studies and expert insight, this session explores the role of renewable fuels, the importance of quality assurance and supply, and how fleet operators can make informed decisions about where these fuels fit within their decarbonisation strategy.

Info: Gloria will be discussing the deployment of renewable fuels in commercial vehicles and explaining the role of the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS) in providing fleet operators with confidence in achieving emission reduction and carbon reporting.
If RFAS is new acronym to you, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn first-hand about RFAS and how the scheme works alongside the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), providing a guarantee that fleet operators purchasing sustainable low carbon fuels.

Info: This session will discuss the options for any commercial fleets looking to switch to renewable fuels in the short-to-medium term.

Info: Mike will be leading the session, ‘Renewable Fuels: Production & Supply’, which will explore the use of high blend biodiesel in commercial vehicles, highlighting its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while remaining compatible with diesel engines.
Delegates of Moving to Zero will gain a clear understanding of fuel characteristics, compatibility, blend options, and practical implementation tips. Real-world applications will be illustrated using examples of commercially available fuels, such as Dieselite.

Info: Renewable fuels are already helping many commercial fleets reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but where do they fit within the wider transition to net zero? This panel brings together experts from across the renewable fuels sector to explore the opportunities, limitations and practical applications of renewable fuels in commercial transport. The discussion will examine sustainability, assurance, production, supply and real-world deployment, helping fleet operators understand where renewable fuels can deliver immediate emissions reductions and how they complement other technology pathways as part of a broader decarbonisation strategy.

Info: As commercial fleets look beyond immediate emissions reductions, the transition becomes increasingly dependent on infrastructure, technology readiness and long-term investment decisions. This session explores the next generation of decarbonisation pathways, from multi-fuel refuelling hubs and hydrogen infrastructure to retrofit solutions and the real-world experience of fleet operators evaluating different technologies. Together, these showcase presentations will examine how organisations can plan for a future in which multiple technology pathways coexist, helping fleet operators identify the solutions best suited to their operational needs.

Info: Drawing on Aegis Energy's first commercial vehicle multi-energy hub in Sheffield, M1 J35, Kasia Chodurek will explore how multi-fuel infrastructure supports fleets that are transitioning away from diesel today.
The session will cover what Kasia is hearing from UK fleets that are on decarbonisation journeys, what high-power electric charging and transition fuels such as HVO look like in practice, and how public infrastructure is a solution to a lot of the practical barriers that fleets face while trying to deploy infrastructure at their depots.

Info: A successful decarbonisation strategy is built on adaptability, enabling organisations to continuously assess and adopt the most effective solutions as technologies, market conditions, and operational requirements evolve. This presentation will explore how Gregory Group is approaching this challenge, balancing operational realities with the need to reduce emissions while meeting and exceeding customer expectations.

Info: Hydrogen is moving from trials into everyday use for heavy vehicles, buses and off-grid sites, but access to refuelling remains the biggest barrier for most fleets. This session looks at the practical infrastructure options available today,  how operators can start small and scale as demand grows. It will draw on HyKit's experience delivering hydrogen refuelling across the UK.

Info: Drawing on decades of experience, this case study explores the practical deployment of alternative fuels within a major commercial fleet. Justin Laney will share the operational realities, benefits and challenges of adopting lower-carbon fuels, offering valuable lessons for fleet operators considering how these technologies can support immediate emissions reductions while planning for longer-term transition pathways.

Info: Battery electric technology is becoming an increasingly viable option for many commercial fleets, supported by rapid advances in vehicle capability, charging infrastructure and battery innovation. This session explores the latest developments across electric vans and HGVs, from operational fleet deployment and emerging battery-swapping solutions to the rollout of Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS). Together, these showcase presentations will examine where battery electric vehicles are commercially viable today, how the technology is evolving, and the infrastructure needed to support wider adoption across the commercial transport sector.

Info: Ian Foley will explain how Equipmake has successfully repowered several different vehicle types in the Bus and Coach space.
Ian will then continue to demonstrate the wider commercial case for repowering, outlining how repowering systems are identical to systems Equipmake already supply for new commercial vehicles.

Info: Paul Kirby will unpack the latest developments in the electric van market, including the growing second-hand market as a more cost effective way for fleets to access battery electric technology.

Info: Angus will bring in practical case studies and lessons from Dynamon’s work with some of the largest fleets in Europe over the last few years, looking at how operators can identify where different technologies make operational and commercial sense and then successfully deploy them.

Info: After exploring the technologies and fuels available today, tomorrow and in the years ahead, this closing panel brings together experts from across the programme to help fleet operators make sense of the options. Rather than asking which technology will "win", the discussion will explore which solutions are best suited to different fleet types, duty cycles and operating environments. Panellists will consider infrastructure readiness, commercial viability, total cost of ownership and future investment priorities, providing delegates with practical guidance on choosing the right pathway for their organisation's decarbonisation journey.

Info: Professor Andrew Potter and Jonathan Murray present closing remarks, including key learnings from the day and the next steps for Zemo Partnership.

Event venue & nearby stays

Swansea.com Stadium, Landore, Swansea, United Kingdom

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