Skip to content
The transport industry has always adapted to changes and challenges, and 2026 is no different. Here’s our round-up of the transport transformation trends that are likely to have the biggest impact this year. Read on to discover what’s happening in our sector, from the acceleration of technology to environmental resilience and the latest government legislation and initiatives.
Climate Resilient Infrastructure
Transportation infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. In the UK, flood warnings are becoming commonplace. In February 2026, more than 200 flood alerts were in place across the UK, according to the Environment Agency. The South-West of England was particularly badly affected, with inland flooding making journey times longer and more treacherous. When the UK’s transport network is disrupted, the ripples are felt right across the UK, because 89% of all UK freight is moved by road.
The UK Department for Transport (DfT) published its response to the threat of weather-related disruption late last year. On 18th December 2025, the Climate Adaptation Strategy for Transport (CAST) was released. This document outlines the UK’s strategy to improve climate resilience across the UK’s transport network.
Practical measures include £1billion to fund key local highway enhancements, such as repairing transport infrastructure and futureproofing England’s local road network. National Highways is also increasing drainage capacity by 20% to 35% on critical routes to handle more frequent, intense rainfall.
Supply Chain Resilience and Diversification
Global transport companies are also making moves to mitigate risks from climate events and geopolitical tensions, prioritising resilient supply chains over lean models. This involves diversifying routes, regionalising manufacturing, and creating flexible contingency plans.
Pallet network membership offers delivery firms cost efficiency, speed and supply chain strength. According to the DfT, pallet networks typically operate at 75% trunk capacity compared to a national average of 67%.
National roll-out of DVS-style Safety Measures
Road safety in the haulage sector is still in the spotlight. Figures published earlier this year by Transport for London showed that the DVS is saving around six lives annually in the capital, with the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads at its lowest level on record outside the pandemic years.
Transport minister Simon Lightwood announced in November 2025 that the Department for Transport is “exploring options” to update national type approval legislation, which would mandate the fitting of safety equipment (sensors, cameras, and warning systems) on HGVs across Great Britain.
Electrification and Alternative Fuels
Driven by stricter emission standards (like Euro VII) and a push for sustainability, investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuels is gaining traction.
HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is currently the most common biofuel alternative to diesel. HVO is popular because it offers up to a 90% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions without any major modification of existing diesel engines. Some major firms are utilising HVO as a way to boost their sustainability credentials. McDonald’s converts the cooking oil used in their restaurants to fuel their trucks, and the RAC is also trialling the use of HVO.
Electric HGVs are finding their place within regional, urban, and last-mile deliveries. Despite their high initial cost, they avoid low-emission zone charges and produce zero tailpipe emissions. eFreight 2030 is a major consortium of key industry players like Kuehne & Nagel. They aim to develop a viable business model for electrifying heavy road freight at scale.
Hydrogen fuel cells have proven viability in the bus sector, where the technology lends itself to long-range routes and bus fleets can recharge at a central bus depot. However, it’s not as simple to bring the benefits of hydrogen to haulage. Hydrogen HGVs are costly, but one of the largest limiting factors is the absence of a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network. The UK government is making moves to address this issue, with plans for strategic freight corridors, equipped with hydrogen refuelling every 50 miles on major motorway networks by 2030.
Data-Driven Decision Making
The use of data in logistics is not new. But the detail and speed with which data can be gathered, combined with the predictive and analytic capability of AI, has given firms a new level of visibility for every aspect of their business.
IoT sensors and telematics are providing vast amounts of real-time data on vehicle health, location, and performance. This data can help businesses make smarter decisions, optimise operations, and provide end-to-end visibility.
The practical application of AI is becoming more widespread. Transport teams can use AI to optimise their fleet capacity and transport routes, whilst AI-powered software is improving driver safety.
Persistent Labour Shortages and Workforce Dynamics
One of the biggest challenges for logistics firms remains recruitment. The industry continues to face significant shortages of qualified drivers and skilled technicians. The latest figures estimate a driver shortfall of 35,000 to 40,000, a figure that will grow as retirement beckons for the 55% of HGV drivers aged between 50 and 65. 24% of haulage companies are experiencing driver vacancies as a result of a decline in recruitment.
Companies are focusing on improving working conditions, offering better benefits, and using automation to address the gap, while also upskilling their current workforce for new technology-enabled roles.
Empowering people is central to Invo Fulfilment’s straightforward and trusted approach to transport. We’re an Investors in People Platinum business, and everyone at Invo Fulfilment can access a wide range of benefits from our coaching academy to 1% improvement initiatives. Discover how we empower our people in practice at Involvement.
- Top 2026 Trends in the Transport Sector - February 16, 2026
- The Involvement Group appoints new Director of Operations - January 8, 2026
- Cyber attacks – are SMEs at the biggest risk? - January 2, 2026