UK / Italy – Just a few years ago, Iveco UK of Basildon, the UK sales subsidiary of Turin-based Iveco Group, was a modest player in the UK’s heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market, holding a modest 2.5% market share. Fast forward to 2025, and the company has doubled that figure to 5%, signalling the early success of a bold and multifaceted transformation strategy. As global economic pressures and local market challenges continue to shape the commercial vehicle landscape, Iveco UK is hoping its fuel-agnostic product range will capitalise on the HGV market change.

With major investments, a new product lineup, and a sharpened focus on electrification and sustainability, Iveco UK is emerging from a difficult period with a clear vision: to secure a 10% share of the UK truck market by 2030.

Market reset

Speaking with Truck and Bus Builder, Mike Cutts, Business Line Director Full Range UK & ROI for Iveco UK, acknowledged that the UK market is currently experiencing a slowdown. According to recent SMMT data, “overall HGV registrations declined 12% in Q1 2025, marking a period of market normalisation after years of post-pandemic backlog clearances.”

But for Iveco UK, the downturn presents a unique opportunity. Cutts explained that “this is a year of consolidation. It gives us the breathing space to ensure our dealer network is equipped to support a growing fleet of alternative-fuel and electric vehicles.”

Ride & Drive

One of the most visible signs of Iveco UK’s momentum came in the form of the “Ride & Drive” event we attended at UTAC Millbrook. This was a hands-on experience that brought together press, operators, and fleet managers to trial the company’s newest generation of trucks. Attendees drove traditional diesel HGVS as well as the cutting-edge CNG trucks offered by Iveco.

Iveco range

The S-eWay Rigid is coming to the UK

Originally launched at the 2024 IAA Transportation Show, Cutts announced that the order book is now open for the S-eWay Rigid, Iveco’s new electric HGV. This is the company’s answer to MAN’s eTGX and DAF’s XD range. It has taken over a year for the company to start building the truck in right-hand drive, as the strategy was to serve the European market first. Available in 4x2 and 6x2 configurations and 18-28 tonnes GVW, the S-eWay Rigid is now ready to electrify the UK’s commercial vehicle fleet. The first vehicles are expected to be delivered in Q1 2026.

The electric truck has a range of up to 400 km on a single charge and has been designed for urban and regional transport. The truck features a rapid charging capability, allowing it to gain 200 km of range in less than 45 minutes. Equipped with a flexible battery system (up to 490 kWh) and advanced regenerative braking modes for efficient energy management, the vehicle supports multiple body types with nine wheelbase options from 3600 to 6700.

According to Cutts, the electric HGV market in the UK is still in its infancy, interest is steadily growing. “Customers are still on the learning curve,” he said, noting that education and support will be critical to accelerating adoption.

Supporting the electrification rollout

Launching electric vehicles is only part of the equation. Servicing them is equally crucial. Iveco UK’s newly opened training academy in Winsford, Cheshire, features eight classrooms and two technical workshops, and is central to this push. With capacity for 480 technicians and 100 commercial staff, the site provides technical education in EV systems and customer-facing skills, ensuring dealerships are ready for the shift.

Every Iveco dealership now features IMI-certified technicians trained to service the electric eDaily and the incoming S-eWay range. According to Cutts, most electric trucks sold in the UK will include a Service, Maintenance and Repair (SMR) contract, ensuring they stay within the Iveco service ecosystem.

The aftermarket investment doesn’t stop at training. Iveco UK has added capacity to its 87 authorised UK repairers, opened three new PDI centres, and expanded its PMU (Product Management Unit) footprint in order to support product performance.

Iveco UK training academy in Winsford

Infrastructure, incentives and the UK’s electric HGV challenge

Despite rising investment, the uptake of electric HGVs in the UK remains limited. The latest SMMT figures show only 97 new electric trucks registered in Q1 2025—just 1% of the market. While a GBP 25,000 plug-in grant and corporate tax benefits help, Cutts believes true change is being driven by end-user demand. “Major retailers are demanding green delivery fleets. If you want their business, you need low emission trucks. Depot infrastructure remains a hurdle. Faster planning approvals for power upgrades and grid access will be essential if fleet operators are to transition effectively,” said Cutts.

Digital tools and connected vehicles

With every new Iveco now equipped with five years of connectivity as standard, the company is putting data at the heart of operational efficiency. Cutts stated that “fleet managers get access to Iveco On, which includes fuel monitoring, GPS, driver performance and safety scores. Meanwhile, the vehicle is connected to our control centre in Turin, enabling over-the-air updates and predictive maintenance.” Remote tachograph downloads, API integration with third-party platforms, and even predictive tyre wear analytics are either available now or on the horizon. “It reduces downtime by 22%,” Cutts claims. “And we’re only just scratching the surface.”

Spare parts

Once plagued by parts shortages, Iveco UK has taken serious steps to correct this. Its Daventry parts distribution centre now serves as the core of a reliable supply chain. With next-day delivery capability across the dealer network and backup from multiple European warehouses, parts availability is no longer the bottleneck it once was.

For critical parts, the company has instituted an airfreight policy, allowing overnight international shipments when needed. According to Cutts, “Dealers can now order up to 6 pm and have the part in hand by 8 am next morning.”

Electric, CNG, Diesel and HVO: A fuel-agnostic future

Iveco’s product strategy is deliberately fuel-agnostic. Cutts stresses that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to decarbonising logistics. For long-haul, the company continues to see rising interest in compressed natural gas (CNG). The launch of the 6x2 S-Way CNG truck (covering 90% of the UK articulated truck market) could prove transformative. “Where operators previously had to compromise with 4x2, they now have a six-wheel drive that ticks all the boxes,” said Cutts.

Cost comparisons also support the shift. At around GBP 85–87p per kilogram of gas, CNG trucks are significantly cheaper to run than diesel (GBP 1.37–1.39/litre) or HVO (GBP 1.47/litre). “CNG costs around 25p per kilometre compared to diesel’s 37p,” noted Cutts. “That’s a 44% savings in cost, and a 95% reduction in CO₂ emissions.” The infrastructure is growing too, with over 50 public and private refuelling locations in the UK, and more on the way.

Iveco full HGV product range

Brexit’s bodybuilder bottleneck

The post-Brexit world has introduced new complexities for truck body conversions. “We used to send vehicles for conversion across Europe with ease. Now, tariffs and VAT risks make that nearly impossible,” said Cutts. The solution? Bring it home. Iveco UK has strengthened ties with UK-based bodybuilders and rolled out the DriveAway Programme, offering pre-bodied, ready-to-go trucks in partnership with firms like Brit-Tipp and Thompsons.

This localised approach cuts lead times, simplifies negotiations, and allows Iveco to maintain tighter quality control. “We’re no longer at the mercy of market conditions in Spain or Germany,” said Cutts.

A new HQ

Iveco UK’s relocation to Phoenix House in Basildon symbolises more than a change of address. The modern HQ, home to 77 of its 300 UK employees, features open workspaces and cutting-edge conference facilities, reflecting a broader cultural shift within the company. This fresh start supports a team increasingly focused on innovation, customer support, and sustainable growth.

Iveco UK's new Head office

Operator market consolidation in the UK

As the transition to alternative fuels accelerates, Cutts sees bigger operators gaining ground. “Larger operators hold the buying power, the R&D budgets, and the scale to invest in green tech.” Smaller players will need to find their niche or face consolidation. “But even smaller fleets can adopt CNG if they want to. Mobile refuelling can support as few as 20 trucks.” The trick, he says, is to position decarbonisation as a competitive advantage. “Some operators are betting early on EVs, not because they have to, but because it sets them apart in contract bids.”

Driving forward

Iveco UK's ambition to reach 10% market share by 2030 is no small feat. It will require continued investment in infrastructure, product development, customer service and training. But the pieces are already falling into place. From its commitment to alternative fuels to its electrification roadmap, aftermarket evolution and logistics network modernisation, the company is quietly but confidently transforming itself into a future-ready commercial vehicle powerhouse. As Cutts concluded, “We’re not just selling trucks anymore, we’re helping operators futureproof their fleets. That’s what sets Iveco apart.”