Welcome to This Week in Freight, your go-to source for the latest haulage and road freight news and advice in the UK.
Every Friday, we gather the week’s top stories affecting fleet managers, operators, and drivers, keeping you informed on industry trends, updates, and key developments.
📉 January’s price drop: normal dip or something more?
The TEG Index fell 9.8 points last month, following the usual post-peak dip. Haulage saw the sharpest fall, but prices remain higher year-on-year.
Fuel costs crept up again, while consumer confidence dipped, adding to an uncertain economic outlook. But with interest rate cuts on the horizon, will things turn around?
See the full analysis from Transport Exchange Group, and what it means for your business.
⏱️ Six-minute unloads? Royal Mail just made it happen
Unloading trailers used to take 3.5 hours—now it’s just 6 minutes!
Royal Mail’s new automated unloading system is 30x faster, boosting next-day delivery speeds and improving efficiency at its North West Parcel Hub.
Could automation transform HGV operations across the industry?
👋 Goodbye potholes? Self-repairing roads are on the way
A new self-repairing asphalt could be the answer to the UK’s £143.5m pothole problem. Developed by scientists at King’s College London and Swansea University, this innovative material mends its own cracks using tiny plant-based spores filled with recycled oils.
🔹 Microcracks heal in under an hour
🔹 Made from biomass waste for sustainability
🔹 Could cut road maintenance costs and disruption for hauliers
It’s still in development, but National Highways is already on board. Could this mean smoother roads and fewer delays for fleets?
Get the low-down on Fleet News.
🔋 Charging ahead: UK EV charge points up 37%
The UK’s public EV charging network expanded by 37% last year, with over 73,000 chargers now installed. Rural areas saw a 45% boost, while on-street charging increased by 27%—great news for EV drivers without a driveway.
Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain initiative has already logged 12,000 requests from residents needing on-street charging. But are councils deploying charge points where they’re needed most?
Read the full report to see how your area is faring.
🏃♂️ Tired of losing your best drivers?
Losing experienced drivers doesn’t just hurt your bottom line—it impacts your entire fleet’s performance. Recruitment costs soar, team morale drops, and your business struggles to meet customer expectations.
By focusing on driver satisfaction—through fair workloads, better benefits, and career development—you can reduce turnover, cut costs, and build a committed team. Happy drivers mean a stronger, more efficient fleet.
Find out how to tackle driver turnover with proven strategies that work.
🚛 The UK needs 200k HGV drivers, but who will fill the gap?
The RHA warns that 40,000 new HGV drivers must be recruited each year for the next five years to prevent another driver shortage. With an ageing workforce, retention issues, and a need for more diversity, urgent action is required.
🔹 81% of UK freight moves by road—shortages could hit supply chains hard
🔹 The RHA is pushing for flexible, funded training options to attract new drivers
🔹 Closer industry and government collaboration is needed to future-proof haulage
Without major investment in recruitment and training, the sector risks disruption. Will the government step in to support long-term solutions?
Check out RHA’s full report here.
🚧 Are you prepared for a roadside inspection?
A DVSA roadside inspection can happen at any time, and could mean costly fines and delays if your fleet isn’t ready.
From vehicle maintenance to driver documentation, we’ve broken down the key steps to prepare for DVSA roadside inspections.
Find out how to avoid penalties and keep your fleet moving.
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