Welcome to This Week in Freight, your go-to source for the latest haulage and road freight news and advice in the UK.
This week’s freight news is packed with developments on pay, electrification and technology. UK drivers are now earning three times more than peers in Eastern Europe, while more than 80 EV-ready fleets are live on HX. Volvo also celebrates a milestone — one million connected trucks now on the road.
Alongside the headlines, we cover government electrification grants, AI’s role in fighting cargo theft, and the latest big investments from Pall-Ex, Whistl, Evri and DP World.
💷 UK drivers top the chart for pay
Think UK truckers have it tough? New figures suggest otherwise. They earn three times more than drivers in countries like Hungary and Romania, and even outpace Germany.
The average British driver now takes home 70% above minimum wage, making trucking one of the best-paid manual jobs in the country.
While much of Europe struggles with low wages, UK drivers are emerging as Brexit’s unexpected winners. Pay packets are healthier than ever, and the gap with continental peers is growing fast.
⚡ More than 80 EV carriers now on HX
More than 80 carriers with electric vehicles are now available through HX, giving load posters new options for clean and cost-effective freight.
EVs bring more than sustainability gains: they avoid clean air zone restrictions, sidestep rising diesel costs and can even help win contracts.
With EV-ready fleets already listed in the HX directory, the choice for greener haulage is expanding fast.
If you’re posting loads, these carriers are charged and ready.
🚛 One million connected Volvo trucks
Volvo has just hit a milestone worth talking about: one million connected trucks now on the road worldwide.
These aren’t just trucks with fancy dashboards. They use digital services to cut downtime, keep drivers safe and give operators better control over their fleets.
The data collected also helps Volvo design the next generation of smarter, safer vehicles. It’s proof that connected tech is no longer the future of haulage—it’s here today.
Also worth a read
- 🚦 Our latest guide shows how secure truck parking supports drivers, reduces theft risks and keeps loads on schedule.
- ⚡ The UK government has introduced new grants that will reduce the cost of fleet electrification, from depot charging to vehicle and workplace schemes.
- 🛡️ US trucking giant Werner says AI has played a major role in preventing cargo theft, helping carriers detect fraud and recover stolen loads.
- 📋 Fleets could face GDPR fines if they continue using NI numbers to check employee driving licences.
- 🔌 A Depot Charging Scheme has been launched with £30m of funding to support warehouse operators in installing EV chargepoints.
- 🇺🇸 A survey has found that US tariffs are forcing UK logistics SMEs to cut investment, reduce sales pipelines and rethink supply chains.
Movers & shakers
Here are this week’s new transport deals, partnerships and developments:
- 🏗️ Pall-Ex has broken ground on a £10m logistics hub in Launceston, Cornwall, adding 110,000 sq ft of warehousing and EV-ready facilities.
- 🚛 Whistl has invested £3m in 20 new double-deck trailers, designed with Don-Bur and TIP to boost safety, fuel savings and operational efficiency.
- 📦 Evri has secured a two-year extension with Debenhams Group, expanding their long-running delivery partnership while pushing forward with a £50m locker rollout.
- 🛑 DP World has opened a £20m driver welfare hub in Southampton, offering secure parking, showers, dining and EV charging for hauliers.
