ALICE at Leaders in Logistics Autumn 2026: Building more flexible and resilient logistics networks

Dr Isabella Panovic, Programme Manager at Innovate UK, presented “Progress in Zero Emission HGVs & Infrastructure Deployment: Real World Learnings”, sharing insights from the UK’s £200 million programme supporting the deployment of zero-emission heavy goods vehicles and associated infrastructure. 

The presentation demonstrated how the sector is progressing beyond small-scale trials towards commercial operations. According to the figures shared, more than 200 zero-emission HGVs had been deployed, with a target of 300 by the end of 2026. The programme had also supported more than 85,000 completed trips and approximately 550,000 tonnes of freight transported, while working towards the deployment of over 70 charging and refuelling locations. 

These activities are generating operational evidence on vehicle performance, range, payload, total cost of ownership and infrastructure requirements, helping operators understand where electrification is already viable and where further development is needed. 

One example was the Nissan Sunderland charging site, where shared infrastructure supports several operators involved in vehicle transportation and just-in-time manufacturing deliveries. The experience demonstrated how shared charging facilities can support infrastructure utilisation and provide opportunities for different logistics operators to participate in the transition. 

The presentation also highlighted a 1,700 km round-trip demonstration between East Midlands Gateway and Germany, undertaken within the eFREIGHT 2030 project using a combination of depot and public charging. This illustrated how appropriate infrastructure and route planning can extend the operational reach of electric heavy goods vehicles beyond their individual battery range. 

However, significant challenges remain. Grid connections, planning permissions, infrastructure commissioning, electricity prices and vehicle acquisition costs continue to influence the commercial viability of electric freight operations. The availability of charging infrastructure is particularly important for smaller operators that may lack the resources to invest in dedicated facilities. 

The wider conference also featured Sir Vince Cable, Chair of eFREIGHT 2030, who discussed the importance of bringing together fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, technology providers and infrastructure developers to accelerate commercial adoption. 

His presentation highlighted how the transition requires coordinated investment across the transport and energy sectors. Fleet operators need confidence that charging infrastructure will be available, while infrastructure providers and vehicle manufacturers require sufficient demand to justify investment. 

The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium provides an example of how collaboration between different organisations, including competing logistics operators, can help overcome these barriers and support the development of commercially viable solutions. 

For ALICE, these experiences reinforce the importance of addressing freight electrification as a system-level transformation, rather than focusing on vehicles or charging technologies individually. Successful deployment depends on infrastructure planning, energy availability, operational coordination, data sharing and business models that enable companies of different sizes to participate. 

Building resilience into middle-mile operations

Fernando moderated the panel “Resilience by Design: Building Flexibility into Network Operations”, featuring Sebastian Bleser, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain at AUTODOC, and Łukasz Sierant, Senior Manager, Group Middle Mile Transportation at Allegro. 

The discussion examined how disruptions expose vulnerabilities in middle-mile networks and why resilience needs to be considered during network design rather than introduced only after problems arise. 

A central message was that middle-mile operations are increasingly exposed to volatility, requiring companies to improve visibility over transport assets, available resources and network capacity. Designing more adaptable networks allows operators to respond to disruptions while making better use of existing infrastructure and maintaining control over operational costs. 

The speakers also emphasised the importance of stronger coordination with carriers and suppliers. Reliable information exchange and closer collaboration can improve access to transport capacity and provide additional flexibility when operating conditions change. 

Importantly, disruptions do not affect transport networks alone. They can also influence customer demand, creating unexpected peaks that place additional pressure on fulfilment and distribution operations. One example discussed was the effect of unusually heavy snowfall on demand for winter tyres. Even when forecasting systems perform well under normal conditions, unexpected weather events can generate sudden increases in orders, requiring companies to adjust transport capacity and operational planning. 

This demonstrates that logistics resilience depends not only on anticipating disruption but also on maintaining the flexibility to respond when actual demand differs from forecasts. 

The panel also explored how artificial intelligence and automation are supporting transport management. Participants described applications ranging from process analysis and operational optimisation to the automated allocation of shipments to carriers and suppliers. These tools can reduce manual coordination and support faster operational decisions, although their effectiveness depends on reliable data, visibility across the network and the ability to coordinate resources between organisations. 

Adapting logistics networks to changing customer expectations

Beyond middle-mile resilience and electrification, the two-day conference examined changing fulfilment strategies, out-of-home delivery networks, reverse logistics, cross-border complexity, AI-supported operational decisions, automation, workforce development and the future of logistics partnerships. 

As customer expectations evolve, logistics networks must increasingly accommodate different delivery and collection options, including home delivery, parcel lockers, pick-up and drop-off points and other out-of-home solutions. Each option creates opportunities for greater efficiency but also introduces new requirements for network design, infrastructure and coordination. 

The discussions reflected a broader shift in the sector: maintaining service quality and operational efficiency increasingly depends on the ability to coordinate multiple fulfilment models, integrate digital technologies and adapt networks to changing market conditions. 

Connecting industry challenges with ALICE innovation activities

The discussions at Leaders in Logistics Autumn 2026 reinforced several priorities addressed through ALICE’s research and innovation activities. 

The IKIGAI project explores how Physical Internet principles can support more interconnected, collaborative and synchromodal logistics operations. Through urban logistics living labs, the project investigates how shared infrastructure, interoperable data and coordinated transport resources can improve the organisation of freight flows. These activities connect with the conference’s emphasis on visibility, flexible network design and more efficient use of existing transport capacity. 

Shift2Zero addresses the transition towards zero-emission logistics, contributing to the development and demonstration of solutions that support cleaner freight operations. Its focus is particularly relevant to the practical challenges highlighted by Innovate UK and eFREIGHT 2030, including infrastructure readiness, operational planning and the conditions needed to scale zero-emission transport. 

The ZEFES project focuses on demonstrating zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles in real-world freight operations, addressing vehicle technologies, charging and refuelling infrastructure, and operational requirements. Its activities are particularly relevant to the challenges highlighted by Innovate UK and eFREIGHT 2030, including infrastructure readiness, long-distance operations and the practical conditions needed to scale zero-emission freight transport. 

GreenTurn examines how e-commerce logistics can become more sustainable by better understanding consumer behaviour and delivery preferences. Its work connects with discussions about evolving customer expectations, delivery choices, returns and the balance between service quality, environmental performance and operational efficiency. 

Together, these initiatives illustrate how European research and innovation can contribute to the practical challenges faced by retailers, carriers and logistics service providers, connecting technological development with operational needs and opportunities for wider implementation. 

For ALICE, the central message from the conference was that resilience, efficiency and sustainability have several interdependencies and need to be addressed together. Increasing capacity or introducing individual technologies will not be sufficient if logistics networks remain fragmented or unable to adapt to changing conditions. 

Building more competitive and resilient logistics systems requires interoperability, collaboration, digitalisation and network-level coordination, enabling organisations to use available resources more effectively and scale innovation beyond individual operations. 

Through Fernando Liesa’s participation, ALICE contributed to the dialogue between industry and innovation stakeholders on how to design logistics networks that are more flexible, sustainable and resilient from the outset.