The global push toward sustainability has reached a critical juncture. With governments, businesses, and consumers increasingly prioritising environmental responsibility, the race to achieve net-zero emissions is reshaping industries worldwide.
While in America, the new Trump administration appears to be rolling back on climate change initiatives and focus ever more deeply on fossil fuels, the rest of the world is looking to make significant changes. The UK has set ambitious targets to reach net zero by 2050, compelling businesses to rethink their operations and adopt greener practices.
Refrigerated transport is a vital cog for many businesses, including those in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and logistics industries. The energy demands of maintaining temperature-controlled environments, coupled with a historic reliance on fossil fuels, make it a significant contributor to carbon emissions.
As businesses strive to align with sustainability goals, they must navigate a complex landscape of regulatory demands, infrastructure limitations, and operational hurdles.
One of the most pressing challenges for refrigerated transport is compliance with the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. Introduced as part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions, the ZEV mandate requires an increasing percentage of new vehicles sold to be zero-emission, intending to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles entirely by 2035.
As Operations Director Craig Diaz puts it: “For businesses relying on refrigerated vans, this means transitioning to electric or alternative fuel vehicles, a shift that comes with significant financial and logistical implications. Meeting these deadlines is no small feat. Electric refrigerated vans must not only comply with stringent emission standards but also deliver the same level of reliability and performance as their traditional counterparts.”
For many businesses, the cost of upgrading fleets and the uncertainty around vehicle availability pose significant barriers to compliance. This is particularly true for smaller businesses where investing in sustainable practices can be costly and often prohibitive.
Read more from our member Fridgexpress on their website here.
