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Roads: Standards

Asked by Greg SmithConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 22 June 2026UIN 7512

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 5611, what assessment her Department has made of the comparative impact of (a) electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) and (b) diesel heavy goods vehicles on road wear and tear.

Answered by Keir Mather

While we have not undertaken a specific assessment of this effect, we are actively considering the implications of introducing zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), including the potential for additional road wear.

Zero emission HGVs are subject to the same regulations setting out vehicle weight and dimensions limits as HGVs with internal combustion engines. While battery electric HGVs are currently slightly heavier than those with internal combustion engines, as battery technologies improve over time, we expect this weight difference to reduce.

To support the maintenance of local roads and highway networks, the Department is providing a record £7.3 billion over the next four years to local highway authorities.

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