United Kingdom's Innovate UK and Zenzic provide financial support for a trial involving autonomous heavy goods vehicles based within the UK

The UK-based consortium, eFREIGHT Autonomous, has been selected to receive funding from the UK government to start a study on truck autonomy this summer. The goal of the trial, due to begin in 2025, is to identify potential use cases, assess commercial viability, and examine the infrastructure and legislative frameworks required to enable autonomous trucking in the UK.

Led by Voltempo Group, a specialist in EV charging, the consortium also includes Berkeley Coachworks and Connected Places Catapult. Sir Vince Cable, former secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, is chairman of the consortium.

According to Cable, autonomous technology offers a chance to unlock innovation across transport, strengthen the UK supply chain, and rethink logistics that are cleaner, greener, and better for local communities and better for business. The consortium's goal is to research, evaluate, and help shape the future of UK freight transport from the perspective of fleet operators.

Michael Boxwell, CEO of Voltempo, has stated that autonomous vehicles are already in everyday use in parts of China and the US, and trials in the UK are paving the way for wider adoption by 2027. The results of the eFREIGHT Autonomous feasibility study are expected to be delivered early 2027. Following the publication of its reports, eFREIGHT Autonomous plans to examine the opportunity to create real-world trials with autonomous HGVs on UK roads.

Berkeley Coachworks has plans to develop autonomous HGVs at its manufacturing site and test track in Trecwn, Pembrokeshire. The potential exists for autonomous HGVs to be operational by the end of 2027.

It's worth noting that Cable's relationship with autonomous vehicles goes back to 2014, when he announced measures to facilitate the introduction of driverless vehicles on UK roads from January 2015.

The fourth annual CiTTi Awards will recognise achievements and innovations in connected autonomous vehicles on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. As the study progresses, the public and industry stakeholders will eagerly await the results and potential implications for the future of UK freight transport.

United Kingdom's Innovate UK and Zenzic provide financial support for a trial involving autonomous heavy goods vehicles based within the UK