Fleet & Fuel Roundup 31 October 2025

Your weekly insight into the developments shaping UK fuel prices, fleet costs, and transport policy.

Fuel Duty Debate Shifts Gear

The Road Haulage Association has submitted its official Autumn Budget requests. While the fuel duty freeze remains a top priority, this week’s message is broader. The RHA is urging the Chancellor to invest in the future of logistics with a five-point plan.

That includes:

• A freeze on fuel duty to shield operating costs
• £300 million to train the next generation of drivers
• Planning reform to make infrastructure rollouts faster
• New funding for HGV parking and rest facilities
• Support for zero-emission trials across van and truck fleets

Why this matters for fleets:

• Diesel excise duty in the UK is already the highest in Europe
• A reversal of the current 5p cut would cost households billions
• Driver shortages, decarbonisation targets, and cost pressures are all converging
• The Budget on 26 November will signal where the government stands on transport investment

Fleet operators need to budget not just for fuel tax changes, but for the wider impact of government priorities.

EV Charging Rules Get a Home Advantage

This week’s announcement on home EV charging access could unlock lower-cost charging for thousands of company car drivers.

Key proposals include:

• Removing the need for planning permission to run a cable over a pavement
• Capping what landlords can charge for EV electricity
• Mandatory charge point access in residential car parks
• Faster approvals for on-street or workplace charge points

What this means for your fleet:

• More employees can access 2p-per-mile home charging
• Grey fleet electrification becomes more practical
• Salary sacrifice schemes may now appeal to a wider group
• The cost case for EV adoption gets even stronger

With the government moving to cut red tape around home EV charging, now’s the time to update your policy and driver handover materials to reflect the change.

Energy Price Cap Rises Slightly

Ofgem’s updated price cap took effect on 1 October, pushing average household electricity bills to £1,755 annually. While this is a modest increase, it’s worth reviewing fleet exposure.

Actions to consider:

• Review depot and home charging costs
• Switch to off-peak EV tariffs where available
• Track pence-per-mile across your ICE and EV fleet
• Encourage charging outside peak hours

Electric vehicles may offer lower running costs in many scenarios, but diesel and petrol remain critical to most fleets. The priority is making informed, cost-effective decisions across all fuel types.

Road Closures Widen Across Major Routes

Roadworks are building across the network this week, with long-term restrictions now live on some key routes:

• M5 Junction 26: 50mph speed limit through to February 2026
• M6 J12 to J10: Overnight southbound closures until 21 November
• A43 to M1 J15A: Night closures through 7 November
• A1 Black Cat Roundabout: Full weekend closure 7 to 10 November

What fleet operators should do now:

• Build disruption into routing and delivery schedules
• Check for live traffic alerts ahead of dispatch
• Remind drivers to expect delays and drive defensively
• Avoid unnecessary idling and detours where possible

Lost time and wasted fuel are avoidable with the right prep.

Winter Conditions Now Taking Hold

October ended with a drop in temperatures and a marked shift toward colder, darker mornings.

Expect:

• Lower grip and longer braking distances
• Reduced MPG in cold engine conditions
• Greater wear on tyres, batteries and fluids
• More weather-related breakdowns in Q4

Your action list this week:

• Winter-check every vehicle in the fleet
• Re-brief drivers on seasonal hazards
• Monitor weather alerts for route planning
• Book vehicle servicing before the rush

With the clocks now back and the cold settling in, readiness is essential.