by Scotland’s strategic locations, including truck stops, fleet depots, lorry parks, and ports, can facilitate the transition of road freight operators to all-electric fleets by installing charging points for battery-electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and hydrogen fuel cell trucks, suggests a new report from Heriot-Watt University’s Center for Sustainable Road Freight.
The report, “Towards Zero Emission HGV Infrastructure in Scotland,” identifies the need for charging points for electric HGVs at fleet depots and along major freight routes, such as the A9, A90, and M74. Hydrogen Vehicles would also require charging points along these routes.
Transport Scotland, Scotland’s national transport agency, commissioned the report as part of its commitment to the HGV Decarbonization Pathway for Scotland, a plan to help the heavy goods vehicle industry in Scotland transition to zero-emission trucks.
Professor Phil Greening, a logistics expert at Heriot-Watt University and Director of The Center for Sustainable Road Freight, stated, “Electric trucks are already on our roads, and most short haul freight deliveries can be completed without any extra charging stops. However, for all current freight routes in Scotland to be completed, charging points for electric HGVs need to be provided both at depots and along freight routes, particularly the most heavily used ones.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop expressed her gratitude to Professor Phil Greening and the team at the Center for Sustainable Road Freight for conducting this important research, commissioned by the Scottish Government. She noted that the report indicates where investment in infrastructure to support zero-emission HGVs will be required, signaling to private charge point companies and electrical distribution network operators where focused investment can bring improvements for the areas that need it most.
The A9 between Stirling and Inverness, the A90 between Perth and Aberdeen, and the M74 between Glasgow and Carlisle are critical corridors for freight, according to the researchers. They have identified hot spot locations for electric truck charging points along these routes, including Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands, Ballinluig in Perth and Kinross, Stracathro in Angus, Abington in South Lanarkshire, and Annandale Water in Dumfries and Galloway.
Where possible, charging points would be positioned at existing locations like truck stops, lorry parks, ports, and transport hubs like container storage terminals. Land in or next to these charger locations would also be needed to install rapid chargers and provide space for HGVs to park and charge.
Electrical substations would likely need upgrades in several areas to cope with increased vehicle charging, including at peak periods. Critical substation locations include Milnathort in Perth and Kinross, Inchbare in Angus, Symington in South Lanarkshire, Kirkwall in Orkney, and Ullapool in the Highlands.
The researchers modeled the same routes using hydrogen, a type of gas used to make zero-emission fuel. Although hydrogen is more expensive than electricity stored in batteries, the computer modeling showed that hydrogen refueling stations would be used heavily along the A90 between Perth and Aberdeen and the M74 between Glasgow and Carlisle. There was also potential for hydrogen refueling stations in the central belt but to a lesser extent, and along the A9, lighter usage is predicted.
Key locations for hydrogen refueling stations include Dalwhinnie, Annandale Water, Kinross in Perth and Kinross, and Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire.
The project used computer modeling and advanced analytics using real-world data from 80,000 truck journeys in Scotland to carry out the research. The Center for Sustainable Road Freight delivered the project using an in-house modeling and simulation suite developed by the Center for Sustainable Road Freight at Heriot-Watt University. The Center is a collaboration among Heriot-Watt, Cambridge University, Westminster University, and the freight industry.
The researchers invite heavy goods vehicle fleet operators to provide more journey data to continue building the picture of freight charging needs in Scotland. Further investigation is also needed of remote areas with fewer existing facilities like service stations and truck stops where charging points could be installed. These were identified on the A9 north of Invergordon and in Shetland. Stakeholders in the research also suggest the A82 and A83 in Argyll and Bute, which are important freight routes for timber, aquaculture, and access to the Western Isles.
The A77 to Cairnryan in Stranraer is another remote area where potential gaps in charging infrastructure require further modeling, the researchers say. Transport by ferry to the Scottish islands also needs to be accounted for in modeling.
The researchers hope to publish an updated report in 2025 and say that once more data becomes available, these situations will be further investigated.
