Wincanton: How to Accelerate Supply Chain Decarbonisation

Research conducted by Wincanton recently discovered that just 25% of logistics leaders expecting alternative fuel vehicles to be affordable within six years.

Carl Hanson, Group Transport Managing Director at Wincanton, says businesses cannot afford to wait for future solutions and must act now. 

With 54% of businesses struggling to meet net-zero targets, Carl believes leaders should focus on what they can control today — such as route optimisation, driver training and strategic collaboration — to reduce emissions and improve fleet efficiency.

Wincanton's recent research found 54% of UK businesses believe they will struggle to meet their net-zero goals. How can barriers to progress be overcome?

Many businesses still view sustainability as an expense rather than an opportunity — particularly when it comes to adopting alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). In fact, only a quarter of supply chain decision-makers believe AFVs will be affordable in the next four to six years. For organisations already under pressure, that perception creates hesitation and delays progress.

But cost shouldn't be a deterrent — especially when collaboration can unlock both environmental and commercial value. Our research shows that 37% of companies that have cut CO₂ have also reduced operational costs. By working together, logistics businesses can share infrastructure, optimise delivery networks and gain access to a wider pool of technology and vehicle options.

At Wincanton, we’ve seen first-hand how digital tools like our EyeQ platform can help businesses optimise routes and reduce empty running, cutting both emissions and costs. But in addition to technology, we also need greater collaboration across fleets, customers, suppliers and government to make sustainability scalable and affordable for all.

It’s only by working together that we can make low-carbon logistics a commercial reality — not just a climate ambition.

Sustainability is ranked as a high priority by 81% of organisations. What keeps sustainability so high on the agenda for supply chain leaders?

The commitment to sustainability, even in the face of significant operational and cost challenges, reflects a growing recognition that environmental responsibility is no longer optional — it’s essential. Supply chain leaders understand that the logistics sector sits at the heart of the UK’s emissions challenge and, with climate pressures intensifying, there is both a social and commercial imperative to act.

What keeps sustainability so high on the agenda is the understanding that long-term business resilience depends on it. Customers, investors and regulators are all demanding more transparency and accountability — and businesses that fail to respond risk losing relevance. At the same time, sustainability and profitability are no longer seen as opposing forces. Many businesses that have acted on emissions have also reported lower operating costs — a clear signal that what’s good for the planet can also be good for profits.

Ultimately, the prioritisation of sustainability shows that this is about more than compliance — it’s about future-proofing businesses and building supply chains that are leaner, cleaner and more competitive in a climate-conscious world.

What actions can logistics businesses take to reduce emissions while waiting for alternative fuel to become viable at scale?

With UK HGVs clocking nearly 5.8 billion empty kilometres last year and recent statistics showing that 30% of total HGV mileage is empty running, optimising fleet utilisation is a clear priority. But supply chain leaders can’t wait for alternative fuels to fully mature. However, while AFVs are essential to long-term decarbonisation, they’re not yet scalable or affordable for most logistics fleets. Waiting for them to mature could mean missing critical near-term opportunities to cut emissions.

Instead, they must turn to technology to drive efficiency and reduce waste, today. Optimising routes, reducing empty running and using predictive maintenance can deliver immediate emissions and cost savings. At Wincanton, we’ve seen tools like our EyeQ platform cut CO₂ by up to 10% for customers while driving down costs – proving that progress doesn’t have to wait on new vehicles.

Equally important, is the need for collaboration in the sector. By working together — across fleets, suppliers and partners — businesses can pool resources, share infrastructure, consolidate loads and scale low-carbon solutions faster and more cost-effectively.

Alternative fuel technology will come — but efficiency, data and collaboration are how we win today.

Is there a risk businesses might delay decarbonisation efforts while waiting for alternative fuel solutions to mature?

This will always be a risk – but it’s one the sector can’t afford. 

To avoid this “wait and see” mindset, the industry needs to shift focus from future technology to actionable efficiency today – embracing collaboration and investing in digital technology. The businesses that act now — not just plan for later — will be the ones that lead the transition and come out ahead of the competition.

How can competitors in the logistics industry work together to accelerate sustainability progress?

Collaboration doesn’t have to come at the expense of competitiveness — in fact, it strengthens it. In logistics, working together can unlock efficiencies that benefit everyone: shared infrastructure, optimised delivery networks and coordinated route planning can reduce costs while cutting emissions.

For example, by pooling loads or co-investing in alternative fuel infrastructure, competitors can improve vehicle utilisation and scale sustainable technologies more affordably. Our research shows this approach works — over a third of companies that have actively reduced CO₂ also reported lower operating costs.

Ultimately, sustainabillty is a shared challenge. When competitors join forces on the right things, the entire industry moves forward — commercially and environmentally.

Looking ahead, what are Wincanton’s top priorities for sustainability and decarbonisation over the next five years?

Sustainability isn’t just a target for us; it’s the foundation of how we do business and drive lasting positive change, which is why we are committed to our goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

In operating one of the largest shared user transport networks in the British Isles we’re investing in electric vehicles, alternative fuels and smarter operations-while partnering with customers to deliver net-zero solutions across the supply chain. 

It’s worth noting that plotting the future of fuels and vehicles across Wincanton’s fleet of some 3,500 HGVs is not as simple as choosing one fuel to replace another. It requires a roadmap to navigate the route to net-zero. For us, diesel will remain the primary option in the short-term, and so it is incumbent on Wincanton to use it as efficiently as possible. Currently, 98% of our HGV fleet has a Euro-6 engine, the cleanest technology available, which at emission standards Euro-6d and Euro-6e has proven to deliver ongoing fuel savings as well as dramatic reductions in nitrogen oxide and particulate matter.

With that said, we are also taking proactive steps to invest in our eco-friendly fleet. For instance, as of August 2023, 85% of our logistics fleet serving Screwfix now refuels with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) – an alternative fuel which uses renewable feedstocks and food wastes, including cooking oil; an important step in helping them to tackle the climate impact of their supply chain operations.

Meanwhile, we are introducing 24 new electric trucks into our fleet over the course of this year, with the first of these hitting the nation’s roads this summer. The new vehicles, which will be able to operate at more than 40 tonnes, are expected to reduce the business’ CO2 emissions by 2,400 tonnes per year and are a major step forward in our commitment to building a more sustainable supply chain.