A new report by the Grid Users Coalition reveals that 82.8% of logistics businesses do not have sufficient grid capacity to meet their future needs and that businesses are reporting a 300% - 400% rise in connection costs.
The report, Grid Access for Growth, is calling on the government to better co-ordinate grid access policy, as it warns that UK logistics businesses across the UK are facing growing difficulties securing the electricity connections needed to support investment in electric vehicle fleets and depot charging infrastructure.
It identifies five major barriers to businesses accessing the electricity network, including unpredictable connection costs, poor visibility of available capacity and lengthy connection timescales.
It argues that most of the improvements it proposes would not require additional public spending, but instead depend on better data, consistent standards, clearer decision-making and stronger accountability from network operators.
The Coalition warns that without faster and more predictable connections, businesses risk delaying investment, relocating projects or abandoning them altogether.
It estimates that connections reform could unlock around £40bn of private investment annually if timely grid access was made available.
For hauliers, the cost and timing of connecting depot charging facilities to the electricity network are increasingly important considerations when planning fleet decarbonisation.
The coalition is calling for more reliable early cost estimates, a defined point at which connection costs are fixed or capped, and greater accountability when network operators fail to meet agreed delivery dates.
Connection delays are another major concern. The Data Centre Alliance reports that many projects are facing waits of between five and 10 years, while a survey of 200 industrial decision-makers in 2026 found that one in three businesses had experienced project delays because of grid connection problems.
The RHA is a member of the Coalition. MD Richard Smith said: “Commercial vehicle operators are actively putting in place plans to decarbonise their fleets.
“However, grid constraints and long waiting times for a connection, which can be at least 10 years, act as substantial barriers to electrify lorries and coaches.”
The report also highlights the lack of accessible information about available network capacity, which can make it difficult for businesses to assess potential depot locations and plan infrastructure investment.
The Coalition wants electricity networks to publish standardised, accurate and regularly updated data covering connection applications and available capacity, including at lower voltage levels used by many commercial premises.
It also supports proposals allowing businesses to build their own connections, potentially introducing competition and reducing delays.
However, it says approval and inspection processes must operate to fixed timescales to avoid creating further bottlenecks.
Greater use of flexible and phased connections could also help businesses access electricity sooner while waiting for full network capacity to become available.
The Coalition welcomes government-led reforms already under way, including changes to connection queues, proposed service standards and improved network data.
However, it believes implementation needs to accelerate, with some new service standards not expected to be fully in place until 2028.
It is calling for a single Government lead to coordinate grid access policy across the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade.
Logistics UK is another member of the Coalition. Ben Fletcher, chief executive of Logistics UK, said: “Our members employ 8% of the UK’s workforce and contribute £175bn in GVA every year.
“Despite expressing support for decarbonisation of their operations, many are finding insufficient grid access and charging capacity hindering their ability to switch away from conventional fuels.”
The Coalition argues that most of the improvements it proposes would not require additional public spending, but instead depend on better data, consistent standards, clearer decision-making and stronger accountability from network operators.
