Coach industry leaders have warned that plans to develop battery-electric motorway charging networks primarily around HGV demand risk leaving coach passengers “at the back of the queue” and could undermine the sector’s transition away from diesel.
Early thinking on high-power charging at motorway service areas (MSAs) remains heavily freight-led, despite the UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) noting fundamental differences between truck and coach operations, dwell times, and passenger needs.
Peter Bradley, Managing Director, UKCOA, says coaches cannot simply be bolted onto HGV charging layouts. He argues that coaches need safe pedestrian routes and enough capacity to avoid operators facing long waits to charge.
UKCOA suggests a series of solutions that include segregated or prioritised coach charging bays or drop-off points; large-scale charging hubs that operators can book into overnight or while passengers visit attractions; greater flexibility around any pre-booking systems designed to reflect traffic disruption; and early engagement with coach stakeholders at the planning and design stage. Stronger government direction is also needed to ensure coaches are considered alongside freight in network planning and grid investment.
Dorset-based operator Tim Southby, owner of Heathside Travel, fears such approaches are not yet credible in practice and warns that shared provision with HGVs will not work for coaches on real-world schedules.
Mr Southby notes that, for operators like Heathside, comprehensive en-route charging at motorway services will be essential to make electric vehicles viable on longer trips.
Questioning the feasibility of pre-booked charging slots, he points out that congestion could easily cause coaches to miss reserved windows, resulting in financial loss if those reservations must be paid for in advance. He adds that many MSAs have limited room for expansion, raising the prospect of passengers walking long distances through lorry parks to reach vehicles on charge — an arrangement he views as unsafe and unworkable.
Mr Southby further believes the political and commercial focus on freight means coaches risk being marginalised in the conversation on MSA charging points.
Stephen Spendley, Director of Operations at UKCOA, says the sidelining of coach needs has been seen already, with limited accommodation for PSVs in the current MSA mix.
“I worry that coaches will be left behind in the conversation completely,” comments Mr Southby. “All the way through Covid until now, coach has followed bus. Bus gets talked about, gets the funding, while coach gets pushed aside.
“I think that’s likely going to happen when it comes to lorries as well. The issue needs some serious thought.”
