03.08.26

Building Ireland EV Future: Decarbonising Freight

Heavy Duty Vehicles keep Ireland moving. They transport food to supermarkets, materials to sites, parcels to homes and goods to businesses across the country.

image of an electric heavy duty vehicle charging

While they represent a relatively small proportion of vehicles on Irish roads, they account for a significant share of transport emissions, making the decarbonisation of freight an essential part of Ireland’s journey to net zero.

As zero emission heavy duty vehicle technology continues to mature, more operators are beginning to explore how electric trucks and buses could fit within their fleets.

However, there are challenges including higher upfront vehicle costs, and the need for dedicated charging infrastructure that can create barriers to adoption.

To help address this, the Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle (ZEHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme was introduced to provide targeted financial support to businesses investing in zero emission heavy duty vehicles. Earlier this year, the scheme was expanded to provide even greater flexibility for fleet operators by supporting investment in charging infrastructure alongside vehicle purchases to enable a successful transition.

 

Supporting the transition from diesel to zero emission freight

The ZEHDV Purchase Grant Scheme is designed to bridge the cost difference between traditional diesel heavy duty vehicles and their zero emission alternatives. The grant supports battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and eligible plug-in hybrid heavy duty vehicles, helping businesses reduce the financial barrier to investing in zero emission technologies.

The scheme also recognises that the transition will look different for each operator. Whether running regional distribution vehicles, urban fleets or long-haul freight services, businesses can begin replacing suitable vehicles today while preparing for broader fleet electrification in the future.

 

Charging infrastructure is part of the solution

One of the most important developments to the scheme had been the inclusion of support for heavy duty charging infrastructure.

Unlike passenger vehicles, heavy duty vehicles often require depot charging, logistics charging or high capacity charging at commercial premises. By extending support beyond the vehicle itself, the expanded scheme enables businesses to plan both vehicle procurement and charging infrastructure together.

Importantly, businesses can apply for charging infrastructure support even if they have yet to purchase a zero emission heavy duty vehicle through the scheme, allowing organisations to prepare their sites in advance of future fleet investment.

This integrated approach reflects the reality that successful fleet electrification depends on more than simply replacing vehicles, it requires careful planning around energy supply, charging operations and depot infrastructure.

 

Helping businesses plan with confidence

Transitioning a heavy duty fleet is a significant investment, and every operation is different. Vehicle range requirements, daily mileage, payloads, charging windows and depot capacity all influence the best pathway to electrification as was highlighted in the recently published HDV Electrification Pathway Report.

Alongside the ZEHDV Schemes, businesses can also avail of the EV Fleet Assessment Grant, which provides independent expert advice to help organisations understand how zero emission vehicles could operate within their fleets, identify suitable pathways for electrification, and develop a charging strategy tailored to their operational needs.

Together, these supports can help businesses make informed decisions while reducing both financial and operational uncertainty. 

 

Decarbonising freight

Ireland’s transition to zero emission transport extends beyond passenger cars. Delivering on national climate ambitions requires every part of the transport system to evolve, including the commercial vehicles that drive our economy.

By supporting both vehicle purchases and the infrastructure needed to operate them, the ZEHDV Purchase and Infrastructure Schemes are helping businesses begin that transition with confidence. As vehicle technology continues to improve and charging infrastructure expands, these supports will play an important role in enabling a cleaner, more resilient and more sustainable freight sector.

 

Find out more

Businesses interested in making the switch can learn more about Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle Grants Schemes, including eligibility criteria, grant levels and applications guidance at:

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