Saint-Gobain is accelerating the decarbonisation of its UK transport operations with the introduction of six new Volvo FM Electric heavy goods vehicles, deployed in partnership with XPO Logistics as part of the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV & Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme.
The move marks a significant milestone in large-scale zero-emission construction logistics, with the fleet expected to remove almost 800,000kg of CO₂e annually, according to XPO Logistics’ proprietary emissions intelligence platform. Over the five-year ZEHID trial period, the deployment is projected to eliminate more than 3,530 tonnes of CO₂e, equivalent to the emissions produced by 2,353 UK households.
The six-vehicle electric fleet-comprising five tractor units and one rigid truck will enter service between April and June 2026, supporting customer deliveries across the Midlands from Saint-Gobain’s logistics hub at Gotham, Nottinghamshire.
Dedicated supercharging hub at Gotham
To support the rollout, Saint-Gobain and XPO Logistics have partnered with GRIDSERVE to install a back-to-base supercharging solution at the Gotham logistics hub.
The dedicated infrastructure includes six high-capacity charging points, capable of recharging each vehicle to 80% in 90 minutes, with a full charge achievable in under two hours. The charging facility will underpin daily delivery flows serving both British Gypsum East Leake and the Saint-Gobain Midlands distribution centre.
Operationally, the programme is targeting two delivery cycles per vehicle per day, enabling the fleet to complete more than 12,000 customer deliveries over the five-year trial.
Real-world zero-emission logistics at scale
The electric HGV initiative has been in development for more than 18 months, with Saint-Gobain and XPO Logistics collaborating closely to create a real-world testbed for scalable zero-tailpipe-emission freight operations.
The project forms part of the Government-backed ZEHID scheme, launched in 2023 with £200 million in funding to accelerate zero-emission HGV adoption and supporting infrastructure across the UK.
With HGVs accounting for around 20% of UK domestic transport emissions, the trial is seen as an important blueprint for the wider heavy freight sector.
Dean O’Sullivan, CEO of Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, said the deployment represents another practical step in the company’s wider net-zero roadmap.
Trialling six zero-exhaust emission HGVs across the Midlands is another step forward for us. The extended operational trials of the all-electric vehicles are part of our wider journey to reduce the impact of our business and ultimately meet our goal to be a net-zero carbon business.
He added that the business will use the trial to gather direct operational feedback from both customers and drivers to assess how electric HGVs can be integrated into the company’s long-term logistics model at scale.
Volvo deepens zero-emission fleet partnership
The six vehicles will be supplied by Volvo Trucks, extending the OEM’s long-term strategic partnership with XPO Logistics.
Abdi Ali, National Key Account Manager at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, said the order demonstrates growing market confidence in battery-electric heavy truck technology for demanding logistics operations.
The addition of the six new Volvo FM Electric trucks marks another step forward and demonstrates XPO Logistics’ confidence in the technology.
Dan Myers, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain – Europe, XPO Logistics, described the rollout as a major step in the shared sustainability ambitions of both businesses.
This is the latest effort in our joint goal of doing business in a responsible way, working towards our shared target of reducing our emissions to zero with Saint-Gobain.
Wider European decarbonisation strategy
The UK deployment sits within a broader European decarbonisation partnership between Saint-Gobain and XPO Logistics, spanning France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and other markets across Central and Southern Europe and Africa.
The two companies collaborate on end-to-end logistics for a broad portfolio of construction materials, including glass, insulation, construction chemicals, fibres, ceramics and refractory products.
In France, the partnership is already delivering measurable carbon savings, with XPO’s decarbonisation solutions helping Saint-Gobain avoid 1,900 tonnes of CO₂ by 2025, based on ADEME-standard calculations comparing diesel with HVO fuel use.
The next phase of that programme will see the first electric truck join Saint-Gobain Building Glass operations at its Gennevilliers site.
