UK Power Networks is working with logistics operators Maritime and Voltloader, megawatt charging solution Voltempo, the Energy Systems Catapult and industry partner Baringa, on an innovation project to develop profiles on fleets journeys.
The new Future Fleet innovation project aims to set out how eHGVs connect to and interact with the electricity grid, helping the UK’s freight sector electrify at speed while keeping costs a minimum, it said.
As logistics operators transitioning to eHGVs, vehicles will require high power output, and networks currently have limited insight into where and when that demand will appear, it added.
The profiles will “pinpoint where charging demand is likely to cluster”, as logistics operators scale up their eHGV fleets, helping better planning of electricity networks, according to UK Power Networks. This will include advanced geospatial modelling to map future eHGV charging demand against available network capacity.
Through improved understanding, this “will help plan infrastructure more effectively and ensure that fleet electrification can be connected quickly and efficiently”, it said.
It also explore the role of smart energy management in minimising grid reinforcement, including flexible charging, behind‑the‑meter solutions, on‑site renewables and storage, operational flexibility and emerging vehicle‑to‑everything (V2X) solutions.
By understanding which approaches work best for different types of operators, the programme will identify ways to reduce network costs for logistics businesses that are electrifying their fleet, it said.
The initial six‑month phase will define the design requirements for a potential live trial, laying the groundwork for scalable, real‑world solutions that support operators of all sizes, from SMEs to national fleets.
David Francis, head of investment management and innovation at UK Power Networks, said:
“Supporting the shift to electric HGVs means understanding not just how fleets operate, but how networks adapt to support their charging infrastructure. Future Fleet gives us the clarity we need to accurately forecast where charging demand will grow and how we can facilitate faster, efficient connections to the network.
“By working closely with industry partners, we’re developing the insight and tools to manage highcapacity charging in a smarter, more flexible way.”
Tom Williams, deputy chief executive officer at Maritime Transport, said:
“We’re very pleased to be collaborating with UK Power Networks and our Future Fleet partners on a project addressing one of the biggest challenges in decarbonising road freight: understanding where and when eHGV charging will be needed, and what that will mean for operators and the electricity grid.
“With more than 20 eHGVs successfully deployed so far this year, and over 50 due to be introduced nationally in 2026 alongside high-powered charging across a number of our locations, Maritime is already seeing at first hand the relationship between fleet operations, site requirements, and power demand.
“We welcome the opportunity to contribute that operational experience to a project that will help build a much clearer picture of where charging demand is likely to emerge and how infrastructure can be planned more effectively as electrification gathers pace.”
Image courtesy of UK Power Networks
