Welcome to This Week in Freight, your go-to source for the latest haulage and road freight news and advice in the UK.
Choosing the right truck for your fleet just got easier. This week’s leading analysis breaks down the best truck brands for UK transport businesses in 2025, comparing reliability, servicing coverage, safety tech and whole-life costs — giving operators a clear view of what truly performs on UK roads.
We also take a deep dive into ISO accreditations and how they’re becoming a key differentiator in winning bigger, better, and more sustainable contracts across the industry.
And in London, new data confirms that tough HGV visibility rules are working — with sharp drops in serious collisions involving vulnerable road users.
Alongside the big stories, we’re covering major sustainability developments across Europe, from investment in heavy-duty charging corridors to new long-range electric trucks and biomethane breakthroughs. Plus, practical guides on bulk haulage, EU licence reforms, AI adoption in logistics, and the latest industry trials from DPD and Mercedes.
Let’s get into the week’s biggest shifts shaping UK and EU road transport.
🛣️ UK’s best trucks for 2025
Choosing the right truck brand shapes uptime, running cost and fleet performance — and the gaps between manufacturers are widening.
Our new guide breaks down how Scania, Volvo, Mercedes, DAF and MAN stack up for fuel economy, servicing coverage, safety tech and driver comfort.
It also explains which brands suit long-haul, regional or vocational work, plus the latest on diesel, electric and gas powertrains. A must-read for anyone planning their 2025 fleet strategy.
→ See how the major brands compare.
🏙️ Safer streets thanks to London’s HGV rules
New TfL collision data released for Road Safety Week shows a sharp drop in serious injuries involving HGVs and vulnerable road users since London introduced the Direct Vision Standard.
The figures confirm that improved cab visibility and blind-spot elimination are preventing the most severe incidents. With mandatory permits, roadside checks and upgraded safety systems now in force, London’s model is influencing EU design rules too.
→ Read the full findings behind the safety gains.
🏅 ISO basics for UK operators
Winning contracts increasingly depends on proving reliability — and ISO accreditations are becoming the benchmark.
In our new guide, we explain how ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001, 39001 and more help hauliers cut risk, improve safety, strengthen sustainability reporting and meet client expectations.
It also covers costs, timelines, audits and how ISO compares with FORS and DVSA Earned Recognition, giving operators a clear path to certification.
→ Get the full breakdown on key ISO standards.
Also worth a read
- ♻️ Here’s a practical guide to walking floor trailers, showing how operators can expand into bulk and waste haulage while staying compliant and safe.
- 🇪🇺 New EU driving-licence reforms will reshape recruitment, minimum ages and cross-border enforcement for hauliers by 2029.
- 🚧 Humber Bridge’s new ANPR tolling system has been pushed to February 2026, delaying fee increases but promising smoother traffic once live.
- 🎖️ MoD examiners are being drafted in to cut HGV test delays, adding thousands of extra tests and easing pressure on vocational test centres.
- 🚚 Mercedes’ new “Safety Truck” shows how advanced detection, braking and fatigue-monitoring tech is becoming a direct driver of fleet profitability.
- 🤖 New research shows most fleet managers believe AI will boost efficiency and cut emissions, with adoption accelerating across the industry.
Sustainability updates
From new charging corridors to cleaner truck technology, here’s what’s driving the shift towards lower-carbon haulage right now.
- ♻️ A new EU deal paves the way for 44-tonne zero-emission trucks in cross-border operations, giving operators more payload flexibility as part of wider Weights & Dimensions reforms.
- 🔌 The EU is investing €600m to build megawatt-class charging corridors and hydrogen stations across major freight routes, accelerating long-haul decarbonisation.
- 🌱 IVECO’s S-Way CNG has set a new benchmark by travelling over 1,000 km on a single refill, showcasing biomethane as a viable low-carbon alternative for long-haul.
- ⚡ Renault Trucks has unveiled new electric models spanning 12-tonne city trucks to 600-km long-haul tractors, expanding zero-emission options across all segments.
- 🚚 DPD is beginning a long-term trial of the Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 lowliner to understand real-world eHGV performance on double-deck trailer routes.
- 🏴 Zemo Partnership will lead a £1m Welsh Government programme to fast-track commercial vehicle decarbonisation through real-world fleet collaboration.
