Future Work

Get Involved

It is intended that an updated version of this report will be published 2025.

The team welcomes additional journey data from HGV fleets. For more detail on the telematics data required and how data will be stored and anonymised, please contact cls-info@hw.ac.uk.

Transport Scotland is developing a forum for operators and fleet chargepoint operators, financiers and others interested in developing energy infrastructure projects for HGVs. If you are interested in joining this forum, please email FleetsandInfrastructure@transport.gov.scot. The forum will enable hauliers to express interest in specific locations and understand the potential commitment asked of them. It may build sufficient interest for specific locations to move to development stage. There is already substantial interest from fleet chargepoint operators in this forum.

DNOs are already engaged with this project to improve their future modelling and evidence in order to strategically invest in the electricity network. Those considering installing charging infrastructure at some point in the future should contact their DNO at an early stage to understand what information is helpful in securing the power required.

Data for Modelling

More data will enable an increasingly accurate understanding of what will be required and will build the evidence base required for investment in HGV charging and fuelling.

Aggregated data, such as forestry data and traffic count data, may be used in future modelling. This data is low-quality by nature but could potentially make the modelling relevant to all heavy vehicle operations in Scotland.

More data will also allow for a deeper analysis of low/medium/high charging demand scenarios. The distribution network operators (DNOs) emphasise that detailed scenarios combined with times of charging are crucial for planning future energy infrastructure.

Outlying cases where there may still be insufficient existing host infrastructure (service stations, truck stops, etc) for charging were identified on the A9 north of Invergordon and in Shetland. Stakeholders also suggest the A82 and A83, important freight routes for timber, aquaculture and access to the Western Isles, as well as the A77 to Cairnryan are in remote areas where potential gaps in charging infrastructure require further modelling. Transportation by ferry to the islands also needs to be accounted for in modelling. Once more data becomes available, these situations will be further investigated.