There are sectors of the transport system, such as buses and heavy goods vehicles, which have proven challenging to electrify due to their high energy demands. The expected adoption of EVs is a challenge to networks across the globe as they expect to plan network to facilitate the demand growth followed by the transport electrification. Megawatt charging system of eTrucks has the potential to help plan the charging of eTrucks. This proposal aligns with the focus areas of our Innovation strategy. This project will investigate charging infrastructure and its impact on our network. The project will produce models that will accurately assess the impact of a roll out of EV Trucks across our license areas. The key deliverables will be shared with all RIIO licensed UK DNOs for their own use.
Benefits
This project will:
- Develop an understanding of charge demand patterns producing eTrucks fleet charging load profiles.
- Evaluate the mitigation systems to reduce concentrated peak demand.
- Validate chargers and battery models developed in simulations and laboratory with a potential of scaling up.
- Provide the basis of understanding of the capabilities of this technology and its limitations.
- Guide in developing our strategy around eTrucks charging and delivering the power effectively by managing peak loads.
Learnings
Outcomes
This project delivered a comprehensive research study on the grid impact of high-power and megawatt charging system. The significant power demand required for BEHGVs charging leads to concerns regarding if the electricity grid will be able to cope with this significant increase in electricity load. While BEHGVs have higher power requirements compared to light-duty vehicles, there has been limited research that has focused specifically on the impact of BEHGVs on the grid. The below outcomes enable NGET to better anticipate and plan for megawatt-scale charging demand, supporting more efficient action in areas such as connection policy decisions and integration of high-power EV infrastructure::
- Improved understanding of state-of-the-art of new megawatt charging technologies standards and their impact on the grid.
- Forecast power demand and peak-demand from MCS of BEHGVs under different scenarios.
- Modelling studies, using DigSilent and the updated model provided by NGET, of different scenarios and realistic case studies using charging demand.
- Realistic design of on-road charging hub considering high power and megawatt chargers for assessing the impact on the grid.
- Depot charging design for assessing the impact on the grid of BEHGVs.
- Assess the performance of different mitigation schemes to reduce the peak demand for avoiding or delaying the network reinforcement.
- Validation of charger/battery models in a laboratory emulator platform including charging demand, photovoltaic (PV) generation, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
In addition to the initial objectives two simulation tools were developed. These tools allow us to realistically predict the expected high power and MW charging with the associated forecasted load demand.
Overall, these outcomes provide NGET with a robust evidence base and practical tools to anticipate megawatt‑scale charging demand, inform connection policy and network planning decisions, and support the timely and efficient integration of high‑power electric vehicle infrastructure onto the transmission network.
TRL
This project started from TRL 3 and concluded at TRL 4, having validated the core concepts, methodologies and tools in a laboratory‑relevant and simulated environment. Proof of concept was demonstrated through detailed modelling, probabilistic analysis, and laboratory‑scale emulation; however, the solution was not trialled on a live operational network.
To progress to higher TRLs, further work would be required, including validation using real network locations and operational data (TRL 5), followed by a controlled demonstrator or pilot deployment incorporating smart charging and mitigation measures (TRL 6–7). Advancement to TRL 8 would require full operational demonstration and integration into Business‑as‑Usual planning, connection assessment processes, and technical standards.
Total NIA Expenditure on project
At the time of writing this completion report, the total project expenditure was £650,007. Of this, £552,380 was incurred through external supplier and project delivery costs, £68,264 comprised direct internal costs, and £29,363 related to indirect internal costs. This total expenditure was slightly lower than the approved project budget set out in the PEA.
Recommendations of Further work
This research work can be completed with future studies of
- Enhancing Grid Resilience from Electric Vehicles
- Exploring how eHGVs can be used to balance the grid through V2G applications. Implementing smart, coordinated charging to reduce peak demand particularly at the depot.
- Expand the laboratory emulator for megawatt charging combined with energy management studies. The developed testbed serves as a practical basis for future experimental validation of control strategies, energy management schemes, and operational performance assessment for BEHGV charging hub applications.
This research can be translated to other transport sectors for example rail sector; battery trains usage is strong on branch lines or in areas where geographical or topological features make electrification very hard to achieve.
Lessons Learnt
- Concentrated megawatt‑scale BEHGV charging was shown to place significant stress on existing electricity networks, particularly at the distribution level, highlighting the need for early engagement between transport planners, charging developers, and network operators when planning high‑power charging infrastructure.
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) were demonstrated to be a critical mitigation measure, significantly reducing peak demand, improving voltage stability, and limiting the need for extensive network reinforcement. This reinforced the importance of integrating flexibility solutions alongside charging infrastructure from the outset.
- No single charging or connection solution was found to be universally optimal. The evaluation of public charging hubs, depot‑based charging, direct transmission connections, and distributed medium‑voltage clustering highlighted the importance of site‑specific, use‑case‑driven planning approaches.
- Laboratory‑based hardware emulation proved valuable in reducing technical uncertainty, enabling stakeholders to review and validate charger, battery, and control system behaviour under realistic but controlled conditions, thereby increasing confidence in real‑world deployment feasibility.
- Stakeholder engagement benefited from evidence‑based analysis, supporting more informed discussions around technical feasibility, cost, timescales, and network readiness. This helped align expectations across network operators, policy makers, infrastructure developers, and technology providers.
- The project demonstrated the importance of bridging simulation and deployment, showing that validated modelling combined with physical emulation is essential for progressing from analytical studies to demonstrator‑scale and ultimately operational solutions.
- The lessons learned are transferable beyond the project region, with the underlying methodologies, mitigation strategies, and decision‑support approaches being applicable to other transmission owners and regions facing similar challenges related to electrified freight and high‑power charging demand.
Dissemination
The project outcomes have been disseminated at the events below:
- The London EV Show, presentation "Grid Challenges of Electric Trucks Megawatt Charging System", 26 November 2024.
- Keynote speaker at 59th International Universities Power Engineering Conference, 2-6 September 2024, Cardiff.
- Speaker at "Moving the Needle on EV uptake", organised by Mobilityways, 10 December 2025
The conference papers based on the outcomes of the project are listed below:
- Khan, K. S., Alharbi, F., Shaban, M., Albano, M. and Cipcigan, L. M., Methodology for assessing load demands of megawatt charging stations for electric HGVs. Presented at: 59th International Universities Power Engineering Conference Cardiff, UK 2-6 Sept. 2024
- Chandima Dedduwa Pathiranage; Liana Cipcigan; Fahd Alharbi; Manu Haddad; Aisha Ali, Optimising Fleet Charging Loads at Depots for Battery Electric Heavy Goods Vehicles, Presented at: 60th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), UK 2025
- Soheil Saadatmandi, Liana Cipcigan, Manu Haddad, Aisha Ali, Impact of Megawatt-Scale Battery Electric Large Good Vehicles Charging Demand on the UK Southwest Electrical Network, prepared for submission at 61st International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) Italy 2026
Two journal papers are ready for submission.
- Chandima D. Pathiranagea, Liana Cipcigan, Fahd Alharbi, Manu Haddad and Aisha Ali, Megawatt Charging Systems for Enroute Charging of Battery Electric Trucks: Load Forecast and Grid Requirements in Great Britain using a Monte Carlo Approach, submitted to IEEE Access. Awaiting evaluation.
- Chandima D. Pathiranagea, Liana Cipcigan, Manu Haddad and Aisha Ali, Battery Electric Trucks: Charging Strategies, Grid Requirement and Grid Impact Analysis in Great Britain. Prepared for submission.
A dissemination workshop will be organised on 30 June 2026 at Cardiff University.
