Bite-size facts about the UK's HGV industry

They are responsible for the moving of myriad products that are made here in the UK for export, and imported from all corners of the globe. 

Economic Contribution

The transport and logistics industry accounts for 5.6% of the UK's GDP and contributes £13.5 billion to the UK economy each year.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the value of UK total trade in 2024 was £1,703.4 billion, while imports reached £862.44 billion (Macrotrends) – as much as 89% of freight has to be transported by road at some point of its journey.

Number of HGVs

There are approximately 437,000 HGVs in Great Britain.

Employment

There are 58,262 road freight enterprises in the UK employing around 300,000 drivers, who are crucial for ensuring on time delivery of goods, supporting various sectors of the economy.

Driver shortage

The UK – unfortunately – continues to face an HGV driver shortage, partly due to an aging workforce. This shortage has created challenges for the industry, affecting the timely delivery of goods and increasing pressure on existing drivers.

Young fleet

The UK boasts one of Europe's youngest medium and heavy commercial vehicle fleets, with an average age of 9.8 years. This relatively young fleet helps ensure that vehicles are equipped with modern technology and safety features.

Traffic Estimates

HGV traffic estimates in Great Britain were 16.9 billion vehicle miles in 2023, which was 2.5% lower than 2022 levels.

Leading Brands

The leading heavy goods vehicle brands in the UK are DAF (top), followed by Volvo and Scania.

Technological Advancements

The HGV industry is embracing technological advancements, such as electric and hydrogen-powered trucks. These innovations are helping to reduce emissions and improve the sustainability of road freight transport.

Amount transported

In total, the sector lifted 1.55 billion tonnes of goods in 2023, which is 5% lower than in 2022 (1.64 billion tonnes)