DP WORLD UK
LOW CARBON TRUCK
PROGRAMME
Helping UK HGV operators cut emissions today and prepare for zero-emission freight through HVO access, carbon literacy and real-world electric truck trials.
SMARTER LOGISTICS
WHAT IS THE LOW CARBON TRUCK TRIAL?
The programme is delivered to members in two phases. Phase one offers discounted access to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), and phase two is EVITA - the Electric Vehicle Introduction and Transition Accelerator - a practical electric truck rental trial designed to help hauliers test, learn and adapt in real-world operating conditions.
STEP CHANGE
FROM LOWER CARBON FUEL TO ZERO-EMISSION FREIGHT
The Low Carbon Truck Programme is designed as a practical transition pathway.
HVO provides an immediate opportunity for HGV fleet operators to reduce emissions using existing diesel fleets, without major vehicle or infrastructure changes. EVITA builds on this by giving hauliers access to fully electric HGVs, allowing them to understand how electrification performs across live routes, payloads, charging needs and operational duty cycles.
Together, the programme supports operators at different stages of their decarbonisation journey, from first steps in lower-carbon fuels to hands-on experience with zero-emission technology.
This is an innovative first for the container sector and we estimate that more than 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be reduced each year if all our trucking partners register. Our hope is to encourage early adoption as a transitional step towards the eventual goal of electrification.
WHY HVO?
Sustainable
HVO is a type of renewable diesel fuel gaining significant traction as a more sustainable alternative to conventional fossil diesel. This programme could enable over 500 trucks to use lower carbon fuels, reducing truck emissions by over 30,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2026.
Transition
HVO is a near-term solution for organisations beginning their decarbonisation journey. This is not an alternative to electrification but a critical transitional step - enabling the adoption of more sustainable fuel options whilst we progress towards a fully electrified future.
Ready to go
HVO’s key advantage is its ease of adoption, as the fuel is fully compatible with existing diesel engines and is approved for use by a wide range of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), offering a seamless transition without the need for costly modifications or infrastructure changes.
By switching to HVO, truck C02e emissions can be reduced by up to 90%
HAULIER TRAINING
CARBON
LITERACY
The programme is not just about fuel. DP World also asks participating companies to attend an eight-hour Carbon Literacy training workshop.
The free course is customised for the road freight and logistics sector and focuses on CO₂ reporting, emissions categories, and decarbonisation planning. Its aim is to improve understanding of carbon within logistics operations, particularly around Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions.
Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, like an HGV fleet. Scope 3 includes indirect emissions, such as those from outsourced transport providers. For cargo owners and freight forwarders, Scope 3 is often the largest source of carbon, and choosing low-carbon transport partners helps reduce their total footprint.
HOW TO START
Register
To participate in the programme , register your company via the registration form , and accept the Terms and Conditions which outline in more detail how the programme is managed and specific detail we will need from your organisation, including up to date vehicle registration information. You will be contacted by our team to discuss the process with you.
Connect
Once we have received the information and informed your chosen fuel supplier, you will be added to the programme and we will inform you after every qualifying period of the amount of HVO you have been allocated. Your chosen fuel supplier will contact you directly to discuss the additional contract in place between yourself and them.
This programme could enable over 500 trucks to use lower carbon fuels, reducing truck emissions by over 30,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2026.
through the replacement of traditional fossil fuels with
sustainable lower-carbon alternatives.
MORE SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS WITH DP WORLD
REGISTER NOW
AND GREEN-LIGHT YOUR LOGISTICS
The process is straightforward:
After you complete the registration form and submit required vehicle data, the fuel supplier handles the next steps.
Your HVO allowance is confirmed after each qualifying period, and your business receives support from both DP World and the fuel provider.
PHASE TWO
INTRODUCING EVITA:
The Electric Vehicle Introduction and Transition Accelerator.
This second phase of DP World UK’s Low Carbon Truck Programme gives participating HGV fleet operators the opportunity to trial fully electric heavy goods vehicles for up to 12 weeks in real-world conditions.
The aim is to reduce uncertainty around electric freight by helping operators gather practical data before making long-term investment decisions.
Through EVITA, participants can assess:
- Vehicle range and charging requirements
- Route and duty-cycle suitability
- Payload performance
- Driver experience
- Operational planning requirements
- Total cost of ownership considerations
- Emissions and efficiency performance compared with diesel alternatives
REAL-WORLD TRIALS ARE HAPPENING NOW
EVITA is already supporting UK operators as they test electric vehicles in live logistics environments. These trials are designed to generate operational insights, not just headline emissions reductions. Participants are learning how electric trucks perform in day-to-day freight activity, including port movements, container transport, payload planning and charging integration.
Recent trialists include Port Express, Williams Shipping, & ATL Haulage.
In the UK, for many hauliers the transition towards net zero operations can feel like a mountain to climb. Providing access to electric vehicles alongside structured, practical learning offers fleet operators a commercially attractive and realistic pathway to understanding how low-carbon operations will work in the future.
BACKED BY OUR NETWORK
INFRASTRUCTURE, DATA & SUPPORT
EVITA is supported by charging infrastructure at DP World Southampton, powered by 100% renewable energy.
Participants also benefit from structured learning, route planning support and operational data capture. This includes route optimisation tools provided by Dynamon and, in some trials, telemetry data comparing electric vehicles with diesel equivalents.
This practical evidence base helps operators understand where electric HGVs can work now, where operational changes may be needed and how to plan future fleet investment with greater confidence.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For more information, please see our full Frequently Asked Questions document.
What is the DP World Low Carbon Truck Programme and who can participate?
Phase 1 - The Low Carbon Truck Programme (LCTP) is a pioneering initiative that supports HGV fleet operators in the UK in reducing transport emissions. Participants gain discounted access to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a renewable, low-carbon diesel compatible with existing trucks, and attend carbon literacy training. LCTP is helping operators make tangible progress towards reducing their Scope 1 and Scope 3 carbon emissions.
Phase 2 – EVITA is the Electric Vehicle Introduction and Transition Accelerator. It is the electric truck trial phase of DP World UK’s Low Carbon Truck Programme, giving participating hauliers access to fully electric HGVs for real-world operational testing.
Who is the programme designed for?
The LCTP is open to any company with HGVs moving through DP World London Gateway or Southampton ports at least 50 times over three months.
EVITA is designed for UK fleet operators accessing DP World London Gateway or DP World Southampton ports who want to understand whether electric HGVs can work within their operations before committing to long-term fleet investment.
Where is the programme available?
DP World's London Gateway and Southampton Ports.
What does the programme offer?
The LCTP allows qualifying hauliers to drawdown fuel every quarter via a fuel card or bunker delivery.
EVITA allows hauliers to trial an electric truck for 12 weeks.
How do I sign up to the programme?
To participate in the LCTP, you must:
- Complete the official registration form
- Sign the programme Terms and Conditions
- Provide a current vehicle registration list
- Confirm with your selected fuel supplier the agreed method of accessing the fuel
Please note: You must register during the customer enrolment period to be eligible for the next qualifying period (See 'What are the registration, qualification and payout periods?' for more information).
To register your interest in our EVITA programme, please contact [email protected].
How do businesses register and access HVO fuel through the low carbon truck programme?
Registration is completed online via the DP World Low Carbon Truck Programme form. Companies submit vehicle registration data and designate a point of contact. Once approved, DP World notifies your chosen HVO fuel supplier, who manages delivery and allocation. Each qualifying vehicle can claim up to 5,000 litres per port, with a programme cap of 50,000 litres or 10 trucks per port. Participants are also invited to the carbon literacy workshop.
How much HVO fuel can I receive through the programme?
The quantity of HVO you are eligible to receive depends on your chosen delivery method:
- If you have selected a fuel card, you will be entitled to receive 3,000 litres of HVO at the price of conventional diesel.
- If you have opted for bunker delivery, you will be eligible for 5,000 litres under the same pricing terms
These volumes apply per qualifying vehicle and are subject to the programme’s overall cap of 10 trucks per company per port, as outlined in the programme terms.
How does the Low Carbon Truck Programme help reduce emissions?
By switching to HVO fuel, participating trucks can cut CO₂e emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional diesel. In addition, the programme provides carbon literacy training, helping fleet operators and logistics teams understand emissions reporting and plan further decarbonisation. Together, these measures support customers in reducing supply chain carbon intensity while contributing to DP World’s broader sustainability targets, including net-zero by 2050.
Is there a cap on the amount of HVO a company can receive?
Yes. During each qualifying period, up to 10 vehicles per Group of Companies per Port can qualify to receive up to 5,000 litres of HVO each, totalling a maximum of 50,000 litres per port.
If the fuel allocation is capped, which company within a Group receives the HVO?
If multiple companies within a Group qualify during the same period, DP World will proactively contact you to confirm which specific entity within the Group should receive the allocated HVO volume. This ensures fuel is distributed in alignment with your organisational preferences. All companies in the same Group must choose the same fuel delivery method; Bunker delivery service or Fuel Card to use at pump.
When will I receive the HVO fuel?
Fuel allocations will be made during the payout period, which takes place two months after the end of each qualifying period (See 'What are the registration, qualification and payout periods?' for more information). The fuel will be made available via your selected fuel supplier.
How will I be informed of my qualification status and HVO allocation?
After each qualifying period, you will receive an email from the DP World team ([email protected]) confirming:
- The total HVO volume allocated to your fleet
- The vehicle registrations that qualified by reaching 50 visits
We will also notify you of any vehicles that fell slightly short of the 50-visit threshold, to help you track and manage future qualification opportunities.
How is the Low Carbon Truck Programme funded?
The Low Carbon Truck Programme is funded by the Energy Transition Contribution, which is levied on all Import Laden Containers transiting DP World UK port facilities.