The report provides detailed insight into the current and projected energy demands for HGVs and logistics vans
The scale of energy required to decarbonise the UK’s road freight network could take the country by surprise without immediate planning and greater collaboration between logistics and energy sectors, according to a new report from Logistics UK.
The report, Exploring Current and Future Energy Demand from Road Freight, commissioned by the Department for Transport’s Freight Energy Forum, reveals that fully electrifying the UK’s freight fleet would require approximately 32 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually—surpassing Scotland’s entire yearly electricity consumption.
Using official data and feedback from road freight operators, the report provides the first detailed insight into the current and projected energy demands for HGVs and logistics vans, as the sector transitions toward net zero.
“The calculation helps demonstrate the potential scale of future energy demand for road logistics and shows why planning and collaboration between the logistics and energy sectors is essential,” said Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy at Logistics UK.
The majority of operators surveyed expect most vehicle charging to take place at depots or operating sites—76.7% for HGVs and 79.1% for vans—placing heavy demand on local energy infrastructure. Logistics UK stressed the importance of developing this infrastructure swiftly, particularly given ongoing delays in grid connection times.
While depot-based charging is expected to dominate, the report highlights the vital need for a comprehensive public charging network to support long-haul and overnight journeys. Stakeholders identified gaps not only along motorways and A-roads but also in rural areas, ports, and service stations.
Recent recognition of ports as “foundational” within the Industrial Strategy may help accelerate grid connections and reduce electricity costs in some of these critical areas.
Despite progress, only a quarter (25.9%) of businesses reported having made operational changes to support decarbonisation. Just 20% believe they are on track to meet the government’s 2050 net zero targets. Nearly 40% are using zero-emission vehicles or low-carbon fuels (LCFs), but hesitancy remains over which long-term technology—electricity or hydrogen—will ultimately prevail.
“There is still a lot of uncertainty over what will be the dominant technology,” Ms Gardner said. “Commercial viability will always be the main driver for businesses. There is a reluctance to commit to any one solution, such as electrification, if hydrogen could become a viable alternative, and the sector needs greater clarity and support from government to give it the confidence to invest.”
Logistics UK is urging the government to develop a national logistics energy infrastructure roadmap to align vehicle transition, grid capacity, and energy availability timelines. The organisation is also calling for freight depots and hubs to be prioritised for grid access and for more robust policy support for low-carbon fuels.
“We are also urging that freight hubs and depot facilities are prioritised for grid connections and the government does not continue to overlook the role of LCFs,” said Ms Gardner. “There must be a long-term, stable policy environment to support the scale-up of fuels like HVO and biomethane, which can deliver immediate greenhouse gas savings.”