The logistics and transport professions are at the cusp of a fundamental shift, one that goes beyond technology and into the very heart of how supply chains deliver value. Logistics operators are not just tasked with moving goods and people more efficiently, but with shaping resilient, sustainable networks that meet the evolving demands of customers, regulators and communities alike.

Recent industry trends show that electrification of logistics is quickly becoming a business necessity. But transitioning to zero-emission haulage brings real questions for practitioners: Can electric trucks perform in real operations? How do they affect cost, planning and customer outcomes? And what lessons can be drawn now to inform strategic decisions in 2026 and beyond?

A recent managed electric HGV trial, conducted by VEV with AV Dawson Transport, offered valuable insights that speak directly to these concerns and help professionals frame their own electrification strategies.

What Trials can Achieve

For many logistics and transport leaders, conversations around electric trucks have largely been theoretical: discussing range, charging infrastructure and national climate targets. Trials are designed to put those theories to the test in everyday commercial conditions and must be approached with the same rigour, planning and evidence-based thinking that defines the profession.

During the 10-day trial with AV Dawson, a fully electric 42-tonne truck was integrated into live freight operations. It completed over 1,800 miles on full payloads, delivering to real customer sites in sectors such as steel, automotive and industrial distribution.
Critically, the trial wasn’t staged on simulated routes - it reflected normal working patterns, with the vehicle returning with charge remaining at the end of shifts. Drivers reported that performance expectations were met, and operational plans could be sustained without compromise.

For operators focused on operational integrity and service reliability, trials are vital in collecting the evidence that matters, to prove that electric trucks can deliver on performance for their operations today.

Reducing Scope 3 Emissions Together

One of the most profound lessons from a managed trial, beyond the operational capabilities, is the evidence of the value that can be created for customers across their supply chain from electrification.

Today, many organisations set sustainability goals that extend beyond their own operations to include the carbon emissions generated by their logistics partners.  These scope 3 emission are increasingly central to corporate reporting and stakeholder expectations.

Deploying zero-emission trucks doesn’t just reduce a carrier’s own footprint; it directly reduces the Scope 3 emissions of their customers creating a strong competitive advantage. This creates a compelling differentiator for logistics providers who can demonstrate not just operational efficiency but direct carbon reductions for their clients.

If reducing emissions improves customer reputations and aligns with their net-zero commitments, fleet electrification becomes a business growth lever, not just a compliance checkbox.

How to accelerate into 2026

Electric truck trials are most effective when they form part of a structured decision-making journey, not a standalone experiment.  The AV Dawson trial highlights three themes that every logistics and supply chain professional should be assessing as part of their electrification strategy:

1. Where to Start: Using Analytics to Identify Viable Opportunities

Before a vehicle ever turns a wheel, data plays a critical role in reducing risk and focusing effort.

Analytical assessment of fleets, routes and sites allows organisations to identify:

• Which vehicle types and routes are most suitable for early electrification
• Real-world range requirements based on duty cycles, payloads and dwell times
• Depot and site power constraints, alongside likely upgrade pathways
• Potential total cost of ownership (TCO) performance compared with diesel

For logistics professionals, this stage reframes the electrification challenge. By using an evidence-based view of priority routes, vehicles and locations, enabling a focused first wave rather than a blanket approach, the question becomes “Where does electrification work first and why?” instead of “Can we electrify our fleet?”

2. Proving It Works: What Live Electric Truck Trials Really Test

Once priority use cases are identified, live trials move electrification from analysis into operational reality.

Running electric trucks on real routes, with existing drivers, payloads and customers, enables organisations to validate assumptions and generate confidence across the business. Trials can test and evidence:

• Vehicle performance and range under varying payloads, routes and weather conditions
• Energy efficiency and uptime, replacing quoted figures with measured performance
• Total cost of ownership, comparing real energy costs and maintenance profiles against diesel
• Operational impact, including delivery reliability, route efficiency and charger utilisation
• Driver experience, capturing feedback on comfort, fatigue, training needs and acceptance
• Customer impact, providing credible data to support sustainability reporting and communications

For fleet managers responsible for operational continuity, this stage is critical. It confirms whether electrification can meet service expectations without compromising reliability and highlights where process changes or contingency planning may be required.

3. Gaining Approval: Turning Trial Data into an operational reality

The final challenge is not technical, it is organisational.

Even successful trials must translate into investment decisions, and that requires clear, credible evidence presented in a language boards understand. Insights gathered through analytics and trials can be structured into:

• A validated financial summary and TCO model
• A phased rollout roadmap aligned to asset replacement cycles
• Infrastructure and power investment requirements
• A customer-facing sustainability narrative grounded in real data

For logistics leaders, this is where electrification moves from pilot to programme. Trial data builds confidence, supports capital planning and enables informed governance decisions.

Accelerating Together: From Trial to Transformation

For organisations that want to explore electrification with minimal disruption to existing operations, services such as those offered by VEV provide a practical bridge. VEV’s industry experience and expertise helps fleets understand how electric transport fits into wider multimodal networks. You can learn more about VEV’s Truck Trial with AV Dawson here

Start your electrification journey strategically

The journey toward zero-emission fleets won’t be uniform or instantaneous. But trials give logistics professionals the evidence needed to make informed decisions today, not tomorrow.

For logistics operators planning their next strategic moves, the message is clear: start with insight, validate with data, and design electrification pathways that deliver value for operations and customers alike.

As we look ahead to 2026, those who integrate electrification into broader business strategy, will lead the industry forward. Find out how VEV can help you get started ask@vev.com