Freight electrification on collision course with energy planning

Speaking to Freight Carbon Zero, Lamech Solomon, head of decarbonisation at Logistics UK, said freight needs direct representation and structured dialogue with energy planners as the National Energy System Operator (NESO) develops long-term plans for expanding the country’s electricity networks.

NESO is creating a strategic blueprint for the UK’s energy system, focused on expanding the electricity grid to support renewable generation and the rising electricity demand from vehicle charging. The operator is also producing Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) covering Scotland, Wales and nine English regions, which will guide where and how grid capacity is built.

Solomon said freight risks being overlooked within broader transport and industrial discussions.

“We think freight is not represented enough in regional energy planning at the moment,” he said. “This is going to be a sector with very high electricity demands.”

Logistics UK estimates the sector consumed 32TWh in 2021, which is equivalent to roughly 85% of the UK’s nuclear output that year.

While the organisation has engaged with NESO’s transitional RESP process, with initial regional plans due in early 2026, Solomon warned that freight’s needs could be diluted within larger discussions about transport and industry.

“Freight needs a specific focus outside the general transport conversation,” he said. “Our vehicles are larger, operations are commercial, and the energy demand is on a completely different scale to cars.”

Solomon also highlighted the complexity of the sector’s geography. Unlike heavy industry, freight operations are distributed nationwide, with depots of varying sizes and formats.

“Yes, there are hotspots near major ports and hubs,” he said. “But freight is everywhere. That complexity isn’t fully understood.”

He warned that NESO’s current modelling only marginally accounts for freight electrification, particularly depot charging for electric HGVs and the need for public charging infrastructure.

“NESO’s understanding is improving, but it’s not where it needs to be,” he said. “Engagement has been limited, and we need more systematic, direct dialogue because of the scale of investment required.”

The sector is also facing stricter regulatory reporting requirements, with Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions reporting coming into force from 2026/27, including smaller operators for the first time.

“This is one of the biggest changes the sector has faced in decades,” Solomon said. “Freight isn’t used to having energy conversations — before diesel it was horses. Many stakeholders are new to this space and need support. This has to be a fair transition, and everyone needs to be brought along on the journey.”