Decarbonising Urban Commercial Transport | Cardiff

Towns and cities in Wales face pressing challenges in reducing emissions from commercial transport, including congestion, air quality, and last-mile delivery.

This event focuses on innovative solutions for urban fleets - electric vans, cargo e-bikes, and low-emission logistics models - while highlighting collaboration between local authorities, private investors, and fleet operators to create a zero-emission urban transport system.

Info: Registration will open at 9am for the event. Breakfast and refreshments will be served during the arrival networking session.

Info: Welcome remarks from Welsh Government and Jonathan Murray (Managing Director | Zemo Partnership), who will be outlining the pinch points facing fleet operators today and the scope of the day.

Info: The last mile is where decarbonisation becomes visible, and where it’s hardest to deliver. This panel looks at how electric vans, cargo e-bikes, micro-hubs and consolidation centres are reshaping urban delivery, cutting emissions while keeping cities moving. Speakers will share the operational realities of zero-emission delivery, from kerbside access and routing to cost, reliability and scale - what’s working now, and what cities need to unlock the next phase.

Info: Access to funding can be the difference between piloting innovation and delivering change at scale. This practical workshop will guide urban fleet managers, innovators and local authorities through the grants and funding routes available to support zero-emission urban transport, including programmes aligned with Innovate UK and UKRI. The session will demystify what funding is available for electric vans, cargo e-bikes, micro-hubs, digital logistics solutions and supporting infrastructure, and explain how public funding can be used to de-risk innovation, unlock private investment and accelerate deployment in cities.

Info: Decarbonising urban freight isn’t just about vehicles, it’s about how towns and cities are planned, managed and powered. This panel explores the critical role of local authorities in enabling zero-emission logistics, from urban planning policy and kerbside management to charging access for SMEs and grid readiness. Panellists will discuss how councils can work alongside fleet operators, energy providers and investors to remove practical barriers, support last-mile delivery, and create the conditions for clean, efficient urban logistics.

Info: Moving to zero-emission urban transport requires more than innovation funding, it needs commercial finance models that work for fleets of all sizes. This panel focuses on how electric vans, cargo-bike schemes and shared charging infrastructure can be financed at scale, particularly for SMEs operating in complex urban environments. Panellists will explore leasing and service-based models, pooled infrastructure investment, and the role of cities in crowding in private capital. The discussion will look at how public sector leadership, anchor fleets and long-term demand signals can unlock city-scale investment, reduce risk and make zero-emission transport viable for everyday operators - not just early adopters.

Info: This facilitated workshop brings together fleet operators, innovators, local authorities and investors to turn ambition into action. Participants will identify the main barriers to decarbonising urban fleets and work together to shape practical, consortium-ready project ideas - from shared charging hubs and cargo-bike expansion to zero-emission delivery zones. The session will also connect organisations into the Moving to Zero Stakeholder Group, creating a clear pathway from discussion to delivery.

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Host or Publisher Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership