Researchers from the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, based at Heriot-Watt University, have published the final report of a major Transport Scotland-funded study, identifying where electric charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is most urgently needed to decarbonise Scotland’s heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet. The report offers a clear roadmap for public and private investment, helping Scotland prioritise strategic infrastructure to decarbonise freight while supporting energy resilience and logistics efficiency.
Using agent-based modelling and high-quality telematics data from 2% of Scotland’s 30,000 HGVs, the research outlines a blueprint for future infrastructure planning, investment, and rollout.
The full report is available here
Key findings from the report include:
- At least 63 en-route electric HGV charger locations are needed, with 23 already built or in development.
- The highest priority corridors are the M74 and A9, particularly near Annandale Water and Dalwhinnie.
- Roughly 70% of freight journeys can be completed without additional charging stops.
- Most other trips would require diversions of less than 15 km.
- The anticipated network would need to deliver at least 1.3 TWh of electricity annually.
- Depot and shared charging at key nodes is critical to enabling battery electric HGV operations.
- Hydrogen refuelling is less mature and requires shared infrastructure near hydrogen production sites due to limited commercial viability at individual depots.
- The infrastructure will require grid reinforcement in key areas to manage increased peak demand.
Stakeholders are encouraged to contribute further HGV journey data and engage with a new Transport Scotland-led infrastructure forum to shape next steps.
Transport Scotland is also developing a national forum to bring together fleet operators, charge point providers, and infrastructure investors. Stakeholders are encouraged to join and share data to guide future updates.
To contribute telematics data or join the forum, contact:
📧 d.utomo@hw.ac.uk and cls-info@hw.ac.uk
📧 FleetsandInfrastructure@transport.gov.scot
