Autonomous HGVs could begin appearing on UK freight routes through hub-to-hub motorway journeys and short port-to-distribution centre shuttles, according to a new industry study.
eFREIGHT Autonomous, a consortium led by Voltempo, has published the findings of a nine-month study into the early rollout of autonomous heavy goods vehicles in the UK.
The group identified hub-to-hub trunking and intermodal shuttle operations as the most practical starting points for early deployment.
The findings were presented at Voltempo’s Autonomous conference in Birmingham on 18 May.
The event brought together fleet operators, manufacturers, government representatives and technology providers to discuss the future of autonomous freight in the UK.
The eFREIGHT Autonomous consortium is led by Voltempo alongside Connected Places Catapult and Berkeley Coachworks.
It secured funding in 2025 through the UK government-backed CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies competition, delivered by Innovate UK and Zenzic.
Since the project began, the consortium has held workshops, seminars and customer visits with freight operators.
It has also engaged with major European truck manufacturers, the Department for Transport, the Department for Business and Trade, Transport Scotland, Logistics UK, the Road Haulage Association and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The study concluded that autonomous freight is moving quickly from pilot projects into early commercial operations internationally.
It said the UK was approaching an important legislative milestone through the implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.
Michael Boxwell, corporate development officer at Voltempo, said the work had focused on where autonomous freight could deliver practical value for UK fleets.
“Over the past nine months, we’ve focused on understanding where autonomous freight can deliver genuine operational value for UK fleets and what conditions are needed to make deployment practical,” he said.
He said interest in autonomous freight was now moving beyond long-term planning.
“What’s become clear is that this is no longer a future concept,” Mr Boxwell said.
“The technology, legislation and commercial interest are all moving forward quickly, and with continued grant funding available to support trials, the UK is ideally positioned to take advantage and lead from the front.”
The report identified two priority areas for early deployment.
These are hub-to-hub motorway trunking between logistics centres and short intermodal shuttle operations linking ports, railheads and distribution hubs.
According to the consortium, these types of routes offer the clearest commercial and operational pathway because they are predictable and easier to control.
The group said the benefits could be measured through productivity, vehicle utilisation, safety and emissions.
As part of the programme, Voltempo and its partners have also been working with government and manufacturers on concepts for a new category of autonomous HGV.
This includes lightweight “smart trailer” configurations designed to carry 15% more payload while reducing overall vehicle weight by around 10%.
The consortium said these vehicle designs could eventually remove more than 22,000 heavy vehicles from UK roads.
It also claimed they could reduce fleet operating costs by up to 37%.
The next phase of the programme is expected to focus on supporting UK autonomous freight trials from 2027 onwards.
The consortium said it would continue working with operators, manufacturers and government as the sector prepares for early deployment.
Voltempo said the findings showed that autonomous freight could play a role in improving efficiency across UK logistics, particularly on controlled, repeatable routes where safety and operational benefits can be assessed.
The full report, Early-stage autonomous vehicle opportunities within UK heavy road freight, has been made available by the consortium.