Quick summary
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- Real-world experience is building confidence in electric HGVs.
- Routes, payloads and depot schedules should guide vehicle and charging choices.
- Energy planning, smart charging and backup arrangements can help manage costs and support reliable operations.
- Early grid discussions and a phased approach can help fleets take practical first steps.
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Building confidence in fleet electrification after the RHA Future Forum
Last week, my colleague and I, Joanna, attended and exhibited at the RHA Future Forum in Birmingham. With sessions on technology, workforce skills and driver welfare, the event offered plenty of ideas for the future of road transport. The decarbonisation panel was a particular highlight for our team.
The discussion covered improving battery technology and vehicle range, alongside the infrastructure needed to support electric HGVs. Grid connections, energy demand and operational resilience all featured, as did the ZEV mandate debate and the Energy Networks Association’s guidance for operators.
Use real-world experience to guide the first steps
Building on those themes, there are practical steps fleets can take to approach electrification with confidence. The wider industry is already providing useful evidence. The fourth Electric Freightway report recorded more than two million zero-emission kilometres across participating fleets. Experience like this helps build a clearer picture of how electric trucks perform in everyday operations.
For individual operators, that progress creates an opportunity to look closely at their own routes. Daily mileage, payload and time spent at the depot can help identify where electric HGVs could fit. Starting with suitable vehicles and journeys allows teams to gain experience, measure results and use what they learn to shape the next stage.
Match charging to daily operations
Improving range also gives operators more options when planning charging. A vehicle that returns to the depot overnight may have a different requirement from one working across several shifts. Matching charging speed and availability to these patterns can help businesses design infrastructure around the work their vehicles actually do.
The development of public HGV charging hubs can extend these options further, particularly where longer routes need charging away from base. Operators can assess suitable locations alongside their depot plans, checking access and vehicle compatibility.
Plan for current and future energy needs
Energy planning deserves the same attention. Understanding existing site demand and the power available for charging gives operators a stronger basis for discussions with their distribution network operator. It also helps connect today’s decisions with future fleet plans, including when additional capacity might be needed and how development could be phased.
There is value in looking at how existing capacity can be used effectively. Charging schedules can be designed around vehicle departure times and other demands on the site. Where operating patterns and tariffs allow, smart charging can also shift electricity use to cheaper periods. The Energy Saving Trust identifies this as one way businesses can reduce charging costs.
Build resilience into the plan
Operational resilience can be built into this planning from the start. Teams should consider how they would respond if a vehicle arrived late, a charger became unavailable or an unexpected journey was added. Clear responsibilities, monitoring and alternative charging arrangements can help maintain dependable operations. Involving drivers and depot teams early also brings practical experience into the design.
Support progress with clear policy and practical guidance
The policy discussion has wider implications too. Clear direction can give operators and infrastructure providers greater confidence to invest. The government’s consultation on a future HGV emissions framework provides context for this debate. Our view is that vehicle targets, grid development and charging provision should be planned together, so businesses have a workable route towards their ambitions.
Practical guidance can make that process easier. The Energy Networks Association’s Transport Connections Guidance explains what information operators need before applying for a new or upgraded connection. Preparing that information early can support more useful conversations about a depot’s energy needs and the options available as electrification progresses.
For fleets, the opportunity is to turn these developments into a clear plan. Assessing vehicles, charging and energy together helps identify achievable first steps. A carefully planned initial deployment can then provide practical knowledge of the operation, tested charging arrangements and a clearer view of what to invest in next.
If you’d like to get in touch regarding fleet electrification, then contact us!
23 September 2026
