8 July 2026
Electric rail freight can deliver faster services, greater network capacity, lower costs and significant carbon savings – but the UK must act now to maximise the value of existing electrification, according to a new industry report, written by the Railway Industry Association (RIA) in conjunction with the Rail Freight Group (RFG) and the Railway Engineering Institution (RailEI), with research undertaken by the University of Birmingham.
A new report, Growing rail freight: the need for targeted electrification, highlights how increasing the use of electric rail freight could deliver immediate benefits for freight customers, passengers and taxpayers.
There are many good reasons to grow rail freight. It takes pressure off the roads, boosts economic growth, supports resilient supply chains across sectors such as food and construction, and supports decarbonisation.
As a proven technology for high-volume passenger and freight transport, rail electrification improves performance, lowers whole-life costs and offers strong long-term value.
To achieve the Government’s target for 75% growth by 2050, there will need to be a strategic rail freight network that is electrified. This does not mean electrifying the entire UK railway, as a previous RIA report found electrifying a further third of the network for passenger traffic would also electrify 95% of freight traffic. On these critical routes, electric traction is essential to enable freight trains to haul heavier loads and operate at speeds that minimise conflicts with passenger services potentially increasing capacity for all rail users. While electrification requires upfront investment, it reduces the whole-life cost of the railway and delivers lasting benefits for customers, operators and taxpayers.
As the Government develops its plans for future rail investment, the report identifies a number of practical proposals to maximise the future potential for electric freight haulage and make better use of the existing electrified network
Key findings:
- Rail freight is a strategic economic asset for the UK. It moves a quarter of all containerised goods, delivers £2.45 billion in economic benefits, and removes 1.6 billion lorry kilometres from the road network
- Rail freight supports national priorities, including housing, infrastructure, economic transformation, resilience, and energy security.
- Investment benefits both passengers and freight. Freight and passenger services share the same network, so investment for one often benefits the other.
- Electric Freight increases capacity. With their greater power and acceleration electric locomotives (and bi-mode and hybrid locomotives operating under electric power) can haul heavier and longer trains whilst delivering faster climbing, higher average speeds, and more available train paths for both freight and passenger services.
- For future freight services research has found:
- Electric locomotives are the optimum long-term solution
- Bi-mode (electric and diesel) locomotives are a practical interim solution
- Battery only locomotives are not a substitute for main line electrification
- Hybrid Locomotives (electric and battery) will become more important over time in specific situations.
- A strategic programme of freight-focused electrification would enable the railway to accommodate future freight growth while supporting wider decarbonisation and economic objectives.
Commenting on the report, RIA Senior Technical Advisor David Clarke said: “Rail freight is one of the UK’s greatest but often overlooked economic assets. This report demonstrates that by maximising the use of electric freight, we can unlock additional capacity, improve reliability, reduce costs and deliver great economic benefits across the country.”
“The Government has set an ambitious target to grow rail freight by 75% by 2050. Achieving that target will require a strategic approach to freight electrification, focused on the key routes where electric traction can deliver the greatest benefits. Electrification has a crucial role to play in creating more capacity and train paths for both freight and passengers.”
Maggie Simpson OBE, RFG Director General said: “Electric rail freight offers many advantages for customers, and we need to use it wherever possible. The private sector freight operators are investing in new bi-mode locomotives which represent a step change in capability, and with the right frameworks can help maximise rail’s environmental advantages. This report provides a pragmatic framework to help achieve this.”
Stephen Barber, CEO of the Railway Engineering Institution said: “RailEI is delighted to have co-funded this important work with RIA.
“The report’s research and modelling conclusively endorses the case for further electrification of freight routes. The report identifies viable solutions for replacing diesel powered locomotives on a range of haulage duties. It dispels the myth that battery powered locomotives will remove the need for future electrification.
“The report offers immediate opportunities for investment in electrification of infill sections on freight routes. Opportunities which should exploit the findings of the June 2026 RIA Electrification Cost Challenge 2.0 report - that a rolling programme of electrification is likely to reduce costs by a third.
“Together, these reports highlight the urgent need for a National Strategy for Electrification. Railway Engineering Institution stands ready to work with key stakeholders to deliver this essential strategy, which will enable the planning and delivery of electrification to meet growing demand for route capacity, providing greater reliability, lower costs, faster journey times, and reducing carbon emissions.”