Looking forward: Electrifying Heavy Transport, The Next Frontier in Sustainable Mobility

The electrification of transport has long been a key pillar in the transition to a more sustainable future. While electric vehicles (EVs) for personal and fleet use have seen rapid adoption over the past decade, the industry is now witnessing a major shift towards the electrification of heavy transport, including trucks, buses, ships, and trains. To explore this evolution, we sat down with Malcolm Hughes, Head of Mobility Development at Actemium EV Mobility, to discuss the past, present, and future of heavy transport electrification.

Actemium is playing a significant role in the EV infrastructure sector. Can you tell us more about your journey?

Malcolm Hughes: Actemium EV Mobility has been at the forefront of the UK’s EV revolution since 2010, starting with the Nissan Leaf rollout across 165 Dealerships and as a key partner supporting the UK network rollout for Tesla since 2014.  Actemium supports major customers such as Gridserve, Tesla, Ionity, Porsche, Applegreen, Mer, VINCI Facilities, Royal Mail, Defence Infrastructure Organisation and on the UK Motorway Network with service providers Moto & Welcome Break.  Our expertise developed over the last 15 years has helped shape the UK’s EV infrastructure from the ground up.

My personal introduction to the EV sector started in 2019 when I moved across Actemium Business Units to develop the High-Power Charging Infrastructure side of our business. As part of this journey and my learning, I ordered an electric car to understand the customer charging experience which wasn’t the best at the time. However, the experience was invaluable in assisting with the way we looked at designing and implementing EV charging hubs which has considerably evolved in the past six years.

Although my first project was an E-bus infrastructure project for ABB & Volvo Bus at Birmingham Airport, the primary requirement at the time was for small-scale installations, predominantly for passenger vehicles. However, as demand grew, so did the complexity and scale of our projects.  To continue and support this growth, we self-started our own Independent Connection Provider (ICP) business to complement our EV Charging Installation services and answer our increasing customer infrastructure demands.

Initially, the focus was on individual charging points and small networks. Today, the infrastructure required to support fleet depots, public charging stations, and high-power hubs able to charge multiple vehicles simultaneously is where we find our “sweet spot”.   Most recently, we are seeing a significant shift towards the electrification of heavy transport, which presents both exciting opportunities and major challenges.  Our knowledge of scalable infrastructure solutions puts us in a very strong position to tackle this next phase of electrification and our teams are super-enthusiastic about this next phase.

What’s driving the electrification of heavy transport?

Malcolm:Two main factors are at play: governments worldwide are pushing for stricter emissions targets, and businesses recognise the cost-saving potential of electrified fleets. In the UK, the transport sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 28% of total emissions. Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) contribute about 20% of the UK’s transport-related greenhouse gas emissions total, making the decarbonisation of this sector critical. We’ve also seen advances in battery technology and charging infrastructure, making electric heavy transport increasingly viable.

In urban areas, the push for cleaner air has accelerated the adoption of electric buses. London alone has over 1,300 electric buses, with plans to make its entire bus fleet zero-emission by 2034. The logistics sector is following suit, with companies such as Amazon and DHL deploying electric trucks to reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, local councils and authorities are setting ambitious low-emission zones, which are pushing commercial operators to rethink their vehicle strategies.

What are the biggest challenges in electrifying heavy transport?

Malcolm: One of the biggest hurdles is charging infrastructure. An HGV requires significantly more energy than a standard EV. While a passenger EV may need 50 to100 kWh for a full charge, an electric truck could require 500 to1,000 kWh or more. Current charging networks are not yet designed to handle such high-capacity demands.

Grid capacity is another major concern. Unlike passenger EVs, which can be distributed across the network, heavy transport electrification requires concentrated, high-power charging hubs. This need puts immense pressure on the grid. Without strategic investments in infrastructure, adoption could stall.

Another challenge is vehicle range and battery weight. Battery technology is improving, but long-haul freight remains a challenge because of the size and weight of current battery solutions. However, we expect significant improvements in the next five to 10 years, with the development of solid-state batteries and ultra-fast charging solutions.

How are those challenges being addressed?

Malcolm: Innovation is key. Large-scale charging hubs with ultra-fast chargers, including megawatt charging systems (MCS) are being developed, which will be a game changer for the industry. These high-powered chargers will significantly reduce downtime for electric trucks, making them a more attractive option for logistics companies.

In the shipping sector, onshore power supplies (OPS) are another crucial development. Ports remain a significant source of emissions, as docked ships often rely on diesel generators. Shore power solutions allow ships to plug into the grid instead, cutting emissions, noise & vibration significantly. The Actemium international network is actively working with major ports to roll out this technology at scale.

We’re also exploring smart-grid solutions to help optimise energy use. For example, depot charging strategies using off-peak electricity and battery storage can lower costs while ensuring fleet readiness

What are the financial implications of transitioning to electric heavy transport?

Malcolm: The upfront investment is still high, which is a major barrier for many businesses. A new electric HGV can cost between £160,000 and £200,000, nearly double the price of a diesel equivalent. However, running costs are much lower; electric trucks can reduce fuel costs by 50 to 70%, and maintenance costs are typically 30 to 40% lower than their diesel counterparts.

Government incentives play a crucial role in offsetting these costs. The UK government has allocated £200 million to support zero-emission freight trials and is offering grants for electric HGV purchases. However, more financial incentives and infrastructure investments are needed to accelerate adoption. Companies that act early can benefit from these incentives and position themselves as sustainability leaders in their industries.

What does the future of heavy transport electrification look like?

Malcolm: The future is incredibly promising, but collaboration will be key. Governments, energy providers, and businesses need to work together to build the necessary infrastructure. Battery technology is improving rapidly — new solid-state batteries, for example, could dramatically increase energy density and reduce charging times.

At Actemium, to make this transition as efficient as possible, we are actively working on integrated energy solutions that combine renewables, battery storage, and intelligent charging systems. The goal is not just electrification, but smart electrification—ensuring that energy use is optimised and sustainable.

Conclusion

As heavy transport electrification gains momentum, Actemium is ready, willing & able to support this transition. With advancements in charging technology, supportive policies, and industry collaboration, the electrification of trucks, buses, ships, and trains are set to become the next major leap in sustainable mobility.

With over 15-years of experience in EV infrastructure, Actemium is ready to lead the charge in the electrification of heavy transport.  We advise, design, build & maintain, so to learn more about our solutions & services please visit our website or connect directly with any of our subject matter experts.