Fleet Electrification in Focus: Reflections from the Logistics UK Decarbonisation Forum
The recent Logistics UK Decarbonisation Forum revealed a powerful shift towards collaborative models in fleet electrification. While truck electrification gains momentum, challenges around charging infrastructure and landlord restrictions are driving innovative shared solutions. The message was clear: businesses that secure grid capacity now and embrace partnership approaches will lead the transition.
We caught up with Charlie following the Logistics UK Decarbonisation Forum to discuss key takeaways and insights from the event, where fleets at various stages of their electrification journey gathered to share experiences and challenges.
What were your main observations from the forum?
The event brought together an impressive mix of fleets at different stages of their electrification journey. There was clear consensus that truck electrification is gaining real momentum, with the ZEHID trials demonstrating practical feasibility and helping build critical infrastructure.
A particularly strong theme throughout our session was collaboration.
We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how the industry approaches electrification – it’s becoming less about individual companies going it alone and more about creating shared solutions that benefit the entire sector.
What challenges are fleets facing beyond the usual vehicle concerns?
Infrastructure and access barriers
Many fleets have moved beyond just questioning vehicle capability and TCO calculations. The pressing challenge now is finding charging solutions that align with their operational models.
A significant barrier, especially for smaller businesses, is landlord restrictions. Many fleets operate from leased premises where landlords are blocking installation of charging infrastructure.
This is where shared infrastructure becomes critical – smaller fleets often don’t have the funding to invest in their own charging networks, nor the ability to install at their sites due to these restrictions.
Resource constraints
Fleet managers are also feeling stretched. Their roles already demand significant time and attention, and EV implementation adds another layer of complexity.
Many simply don’t have bandwidth to become instant experts in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
How are fleets responding to infrastructure challenges?
Collaborative models
We’re seeing innovative collaborative approaches emerge. There’s a growing recognition that truck rollout will require partnership – “I’ll electrify my depot, you electrify yours, and we’ll share access.” This model helps distribute costs while expanding the charging network available to all.
An exciting development we observed is that bus operators are starting to open up their depots to local businesses, creating additional charging options for fleets in their area. This cross-sector collaboration is proving valuable for supporting smaller businesses on their electrification journey while helping bus operators maximise the utility of their infrastructure investments.
Grid capacity strategies
Grid capacity was another hot topic. There’s a real “reserve it or lose it” urgency around securing grid connections, which are being claimed at an alarming rate. However, fleets that have secured capacity or funded upgrades are beginning to explore how they can share that access with others. This not only helps recover their investment but supports fleets who can’t yet charge at their own facilities.
Some larger operators are already looking at how to monetise their charging infrastructure, though they recognise the operational challenges of managing depot access, security, site management, and authentication systems. There were interesting concerns around relying on RFID cards and preventing charger blocking.
What are your updated recommendations for fleets considering electrification?
First, develop a comprehensive plan now, even if implementation is years away. Start shaping your requirements and understanding your network needs.
Second, take action on grid capacity immediately. Even if you’re not ready to deploy, securing the connection is critical as capacity is disappearing rapidly.
Third, explore collaborative models. Consider how your electrification journey could benefit from – or provide benefits to – other fleet operators. Shared infrastructure isn’t just economically sensible; it’s becoming a necessity for industry-wide progress.
Finally, seek expert guidance. The complexity of vehicle selection, charging strategy, and infrastructure deployment requires specialised knowledge. Having a trusted advisor can make the difference between a successful transition and a costly misstep.
What’s your outlook for electric truck adoption going forward?
2025 is indeed proving to be a pivotal year for electric trucks. The forum confirmed our prediction that this is when eHGV fleets will begin to scale. We’re seeing companies moving beyond isolated trials to developing comprehensive electrification strategies.
The ecosystem is maturing rapidly, with innovations across vehicles, charging, and operations. As real-world data continues to accumulate, confidence is growing. However, the forum highlighted that success will depend on industry collaboration rather than individual efforts.
The journey to fleet electrification isn’t one any company needs to make alone – and indeed, the most successful transitions will be those that leverage shared knowledge, infrastructure, and solutions.
Ready to start your fleet electrification journey?
Contact our team of specialists today for a network analysis and roadmap tailored to your operational needs. Whether you’re just beginning to explore electrification or looking to scale your existing efforts, we can help you navigate the complexities and capitalise on the collaborative opportunities emerging in the industry.