A new report commissioned by Transport Scotland has identified 'hot spots' where electric charging infrastructure is needed to support zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
The report Towards Zero Emission HGV Infrastructure in Scotland by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight at Heriot-Watt University identified locations for electric truck charging points along critical freight routes based on real-life truck data.
It argues the transition to zero emission road freight can be supported by investing in EV and hydrogen infrastructure at both fleet depots along the A9 between Stirling and Inverness, the A90 between Perth and Aberdeen and the M74 between Glasgow and Carlisle.
These areas include Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands, Ballinluig in Perth and Kinross, Stracathro in Angus, Abington in South Lanarkshire and Annandale Water in Dumfries and Galloway.
The charging points would be positioned within 5km of existing locations like truck stops, lorry parks, ports and transport hubs like container storage terminals, the report states.
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said: 'I’m grateful to Professor Phil Greening and the team at the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight for taking forward this important research, commissioned by the Scottish Government, which shows where investment in infrastructure to support zero emission heavy goods vehicles will be required.
'This signals to private charge point companies and electrical Distribution Network Operators, where focussed investment can bring improvements for the areas that need it most.
'This is all part of the Scottish Government’s wider work on the Heavy Goods Vehicle Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland, which is our plan to help the HGV industry in Scotland to transition to zero emission trucks – improving air quality and protecting the climate, while supporting sustainable economic growth.'
Computer modelling also showed that 'hydrogen refuelling stations could be used heavily along the A90 between Perth and Aberdeen and the M74 between Glasgow and Carlisle' Transport Scotland said.
Computer modelling and ‘advanced analytics’ using real-world data from 80,000 truck journeys in Scotland were used to carry out the research, which was carried out in the simulation suite developed by the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight at Heriot-Watt University.
The centre is a collaboration between Heriot-Watt, Cambridge University, Westminster University and the freight industry.
Professor Phil Greening, a logistics expert at Heriot-Watt University and director of the Centre said: 'This new report is an early blueprint using data to assess critical charging and refuelling locations for zero emission heavy goods vehicles across Scotland.
'We’ve done a lot of modelling using available data sets – but we want to refine this picture even further. We want to continue working collaboratively with freight operators to better understand their needs beyond the strategic road network and ensure they have range confidence as part of the transition to a net zero transport system.
'Electric trucks are already on our roads and most short haul freight deliveries can already be completed without any extra charging stops. But for all current freight routes in Scotland to be completed, charging points for electric heavy goods vehicles need to be provided both at depots and along freight routes, particularly the most heavily used ones.'
An updated report will be published in 2025 once more data has been gathered.
