Welcome to This Week in Freight, your go-to source for the latest haulage and road freight news and advice in the UK.
Amazon’s at it again — this time with smart glasses for delivery drivers. Are they the next big leap for hands-free logistics, or just surveillance in disguise?
Meanwhile, the EU is tightening ADR inspections with new risk classifications that could change how carriers transport dangerous goods, and HVO fuel is taking centre stage as a cleaner, drop-in diesel alternative.
Also in this week’s round-up: AI that drivers actually want in their cabs, the safest new truck stop in the UK, and the Dutch cities leading Europe’s zero-emission freight revolution.
👓 Smart glasses for drivers?
Amazon’s new smart glasses promise safer, hands-free deliveries — projecting routes, parcel data and hazard alerts directly in drivers’ view.
But critics warn the tech could bring tighter targets and new levels of workplace surveillance.
As AI-powered wearables enter logistics, the line between innovation and intrusion is blurring.
→ See how Amazon’s pilot could reshape driver life.
🧯 EU steps up ADR safety checks
The EU has approved new ADR inspection rules introducing a unified checklist, tougher penalties, and shared responsibility across the supply chain.
From June 2026, hauliers, loaders, and even consignees must follow stricter documentation and training standards for dangerous goods.
→ Find out what the new directive means for your compliance plans.
🌱 HVO fuel powers the road to net zero
HVO fuel is gaining ground as a drop-in diesel alternative that cuts emissions by up to 90%.
Compatible with most modern HGVs, it offers fleets a quick, low-risk route to cleaner operations without new infrastructure.
With prices set to fall as production scales, it’s becoming a realistic step towards decarbonising UK haulage.
→ Get the complete guide to HVO fuel for your fleet.
Also worth a read
- 📡 ADAS tech is transforming HGV safety, helping drivers avoid fatigue, cut collisions and meet new EU safety standards.
- 💷 Fuel duty could rise again as experts warn the Autumn Budget may reverse the 5p cut and explore pay-per-mile road charges.
- 📱 LeShuttle Freight has launched a new Driver Companion app, keeping drivers informed, connected and rewarded throughout their journeys.
- 🛑 Sutterton truck stop in Lincolnshire has earned Park Mark Freight status, joining the UK’s safest and best-equipped sites for drivers.
- 🤖 Most UK truck drivers support AI in cabs — but only if video footage isn’t stored, highlighting the balance between safety and privacy.
Sustainability news
Here are this week’s big developments across road haulage sustainability:
- ⚡ DFDS has deployed the UK’s first government-backed electric HGV, marking a milestone for the ZenFreight consortium and the country’s zero-emission freight rollout.
- 🇳🇱 Dutch zero-emission zones are driving record EV adoption, with electric truck registrations up nearly 190% year on year as logistics firms embrace cleaner fleets.
- 💨 Biomethane deserves a bigger role in decarbonising haulage, according to a new industry report urging policy changes to extend fuel duty discounts and boost investment.
