A new consortium of Scottish logistics and charging infrastructure companies has formed to test electric heavy-duty trucks and shared charging hubs across the country. The initiative, known as SCALE (Scotland Charging to Accelerate Logistics Electrification), is led by Glasgow-based charging specialist Voltempo and supported by Transport Scotland’s £2 million HGV Market Readiness Fund.
The SCALE project aims to deploy electric trucks ranging from 7.5 tonnes to 44 tonnes from multiple manufacturers, testing them in real-world applications including pharmaceutical distribution, food logistics, and parcel delivery to remote areas. Fleet operators participating in the consortium include Creel Maritime through its Net Zero Timhaul partnership with Scotlog, as well as James Jones & Sons. Transport Scotland is expected to review the proposal early next year, with rollout beginning in late 2026 if approved.
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SCALE also seeks to address ongoing barriers to HGV electrification, including high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure. The consortium intends to develop a community-owned charging network that will serve both large and small operators, while offering financial support packages for smaller businesses. Voltempo, which also leads the UK-wide eFreight 2030 consortium, plans to open two HyperCharger sites in 2026 equipped with Megawatt Charging Systems for electric HGVs.
“Scotland has the vision, and now the opportunity, to accelerate the transition to zero-emission freight, and we are delighted to be leading SCALE,” said Michael Boxwell, founder of Voltempo. “By working together, we can build a national charging ecosystem that works for every operator, from major fleets to the smallest rural haulier, and that allows Scotland to meet its ambitious freight decarbonisation targets.”
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The project comes as Scotland expands decarbonisation efforts across transport sectors, including public transport, e-bike schemes, maritime initiatives, and low-emission zones backed by growing fast-charging networks.
Source: fleetnews.co.uk, transportoperator.co.uk
