Highway service stations will be a core part of the transition to electric vehicles, but urgent action is needed to unlock electricity grid capacity, according to Tim Gittins.

The number of electric vehicles on British roads has now surpassed two million, a strong indication of the speed of transformation taking place in the transport sector, as well as the scale of the challenge facing policymakers and businesses to ensure infrastructure is capable of supporting this transition in practice, not just in theory.

Since the opening of Watford Gap in 1959 as the UKs first motorway service station, these sites have continued adapting to the needs of an increasingly mobile country by supporting long-distance travel, improving road safety, and ensuring drivers transporting goods relied upon across the country have places to rest, making them an essential part of Britains logistics network.

Today, with the government focused on boosting economic growth, accelerating housebuilding, and advancing transport decarbonization, the role of motorway service stations is evolving once again to become even more central to achieving those goals.

Roadchef, which operates sites serving millions of drivers annually, says the importance of these stations goes far beyond convenience, as they represent part of the countrys critical national infrastructure. They not only provide safe places for rest, but also support freight movement, labor mobility, and economic activity across the country.

Motorway service stations as critical national infrastructure

As pressure on the transport network increases, the importance of this role continues to grow, requiring long-term planning in cooperation between government and industry.

After recently securing 75-year lease extensions in partnership with the Department for Transport and National Highways at five locations, including Watford Gap, the company is now able to invest tens of millions of pounds in upgrading facilities, increasing capacity, and preparing the network to meet the needs of the next generation of road users and vehicles.

The benefits of these investments extend beyond infrastructure improvements, contributing to job creation, higher productivity, and stronger regional development, while creating broader opportunities for growth.

Developing new motorway service stations in underserved areas could also become a catalyst for regional growth by improving connectivity, creating local jobs, and attracting additional investment.

To meet housing targets and support infrastructure projects, expanding heavy truck facilities is also considered essential to ensuring the success of Britains construction sector and achieving balanced development plans.

Large-scale homebuilding depends on the efficient transport of materials and workers, while the infrastructure supporting these supply chains is facing mounting pressure. With appropriate investment and planning support, motorway service stations can play a decisive role in ensuring these networks function smoothly and in turning housing targets into actual homes.

The electric vehicle revolution could stall without electricity grid reform

Electricity grid capacity is currently the biggest obstacle to deploying fast-charging stations for electric vehicles, especially in rural and remote areas.

The UK National Audit Office found that only 10% of motorway service stations currently have sufficient electricity capacity to meet expected electric vehicle charging demand by 2035.

If Britain is serious about ensuring fair access to electric vehicles and decarbonizing freight transport, policy must address electricity grid constraints that are hindering infrastructure development at key points along the strategic road network.

Motorway service stations will be essential to this transition, as reliable roadside charging can reduce one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption, support cleaner freight and transport journeys, and ensure the benefits of electrification reach regions outside major cities.

Roadside charging is expected to account for a significant share of total electric vehicle charging activity by 2050, making it a core part of the national network.

Roadchef is already investing to meet this demand, with plans to establish 1,000 electric vehicle charging points across its sites by 2030.

However, building a comprehensive network capable of serving drivers, commercial fleets, and heavy electric trucks requires urgent action to unlock electricity grid capacity in the areas that need it most.

Public-private cooperation

A new model of effective cooperation between the public and private sectors is increasingly emerging in infrastructure projects.

When organizations such as National Highways, local authorities, and private operators like Roadchef are able to align on key investment priorities, meaningful progress becomes possible, giving businesses the confidence to invest for the long term while delivering broader benefits to society.

These investments are also improving the experience of millions of motorway service station users annually through expanded partnerships with British retail and hospitality brands, upgraded facilities, and responses to changing consumer expectations.

Motorway service stations are no longer simply places for temporary stops, but have become environments focused on experience, comfort, and variety.

Today, these stations sit at the intersection of several of the British economys most important priorities: growth, connectivity, decarbonization, and execution.

With the right policy framework and continued commitment to long-term investment, motorway service stations can evolve from being merely a supporting element of the transport network into a driving force behind a cleaner, more resilient, and better connected British economy.