Autonomous HGV study identifies first routes for UK deployment
The first large-scale applications for autonomous HGV technology in the UK are likely to be motorway trunking routes and short-distance intermodal shuttle operations, according to a new study led by Voltempo. The findings come from the eFREIGHT Autonomous consortium, a group of commercial vehicle and technology specialists that has spent the past nine months assessing how autonomous freight could be deployed in the UK haulage sector. Presented at Voltempo's Autonomous conference in Birmingham, the report concludes that autonomous freight is moving beyond pilot projects and towards early commercial operation in several international markets.
The study also highlights the opportunities created by the UK's forthcoming implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024. Led by Voltempo alongside Connected Places Catapult and Berkeley Coachworks, the consortium secured funding through the UK Government-backed CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies competition, delivered by Innovate UK and Zenzic. Since launching in 2025, the group has worked with operators, vehicle manufacturers and policymakers across the freight sector.
Engagement has included workshops, customer visits and discussions with all major European truck manufacturers, as well as the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland, Logistics UK, the RHA and SMMT.
Focus on predictable routes
The report identifies two priority use cases for early deployment of autonomous HGV technology. The first is hub-to-hub motorway trunking between logistics centres. The second is short-distance intermodal shuttle operations linking ports, rail terminals and distribution hubs.
According to the consortium, these routes offer the strongest commercial case because they operate in controlled environments with predictable journeys and clearly measurable outcomes. Potential benefits include improved vehicle utilisation, increased productivity, enhanced safety and lower emissions. Michael Boxwell, Corporate Development Officer at Voltempo, said: "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.
"What's become clear is that this is no longer a future concept.
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."
New vehicle concepts under development
Alongside the operational study, the consortium has also explored concepts for a new generation of autonomous freight vehicles. These include lightweight "smart trailer" configurations designed to reduce vehicle weight while increasing payload capacity. The consortium estimates that such designs could increase payload by around 15% while cutting overall vehicle weight by approximately 10%.
If deployed at scale, the report suggests these vehicle concepts could remove more than 22,000 heavy vehicles from UK roads and 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, while continuing engagement with manufacturers, fleet operators and government stakeholders.
The full report, Early-stage autonomous vehicle opportunities within UK heavy road freight, is available from Voltempo.
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