Transport Scotland, the nation's transport agency, has backed the development of the ScotVolt interactive dashboard, created by researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, in collaboration with The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight. The tool simulates the transition of Scotland's heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) from diesel to electric power.
Fleet owners, hauliers, and logistics firms are encouraged to test the tool using their own operational data and provide feedback. The project aims to explore charging infrastructure requirements and the impact on the local electricity grid.
Utilising advanced computer modelling and data from approximately 80,000 real truck journeys across Scotland, ScotVolt enables users to evaluate various routing and charging scenarios. This includes identifying optimal locations for electric HGV chargers and assessing electricity demand.
The dashboard is informed by two years of research commissioned by Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government as part of their HGV Decarbonisation Pathway for Scotland, published in March 2024. This initiative supports the transition of heavy goods vehicles to zero-emission technology.
“"The development of ScotVolt is a critical milestone in this work. It gives us a better understanding of what electric truck charging infrastructure is needed in Scotland – and helps operators explore their own transition to zero emission HGVs."
Professor Phil Greening, a logistics expert at Heriot-Watt University and Deputy Director of The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, highlighted the tool's role in mitigating the risks associated with large-scale transformation. He stated that computer modelling tools like ScotVolt can provide crucial answers by using real-world data to de-risk decision-making.
ScotVolt's simulations cover six key freight corridors in Scotland – the A9, A90, A1, M74, A77, and A75 – running scenarios over a one-year timeframe with 56 different variables. These include battery size, charging station availability and speed, and overnight depot charging capabilities.
The dashboard also accounts for seasonal energy consumption variations, noting that electric vehicle batteries typically require more power during colder winter months due to cabin heating and reduced efficiency.
“"Truck operators can test our tool by starting with a scenario their know. They can pick a season, route, depot type and battery size that matches one of their own routes and then load it. They can then flip any of the variables to see the impact."
The Road Haulage Association (RHA), representing HGV, coach, and van operators, has followed ScotVolt's development. Chris Ashley, Net Zero lead for the RHA, commented that the tool provides a practical means for operators to test real-world scenarios and address uncertainties regarding charging infrastructure.
The Scottish Wholesale Association also supports the dashboard. Colin Smith, Chief Executive, noted that while electric HGVs have shown promising performance, the right charging infrastructure is crucial for widespread adoption. He described ScotVolt as a valuable tool for identifying charging needs and planning the transition effectively.
The six freight corridors mapped include routes such as the A9 from Eurocentral to Inverness and the M74 from Bathgate to Carlisle. The dashboard incorporates existing, planned, and identified future charging sites.
Visualisations include maps showing charger usage and energy draw, estimated charging bay requirements, and proximity to electricity substations. Users can also build custom routes and analyse grid capacity against charging demand.
ScotVolt employs agent-based modelling to simulate interactions between individual agents and their environment. Key findings from the research highlight that battery size significantly impacts infrastructure needs, winter conditions increase energy consumption by approximately 50%, and grid feasibility is highly localised.
The research builds on previous phases for Transport Scotland, which identified a need for at least 63 charging points along major freight routes, with 37 additional sites still required.
The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Heriot-Watt University, and the University of Westminster, focused on enhancing road freight efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
