Where to charge? A data-driven national framework for locating and sizing electric freight charging infrastructure in Colombia

The freight transport sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a central focus of national climate strategies aimed at meeting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The transition to electric trucks offers a viable pathway to reduce emissions; however, large-scale deployment depends on substantial planning and investment in charging infrastructure, particularly in emerging economies where freight activity is highly concentrated and public resources are constrained. This paper proposes a data-driven national framework to support policy decisions on the location, sizing, and phased deployment of electric freight charging infrastructure, using Colombia as a case study. The methodology integrates real-world freight traffic data with network structure analysis, staged implementation planning, and capacity system modelling based on queuing theory. It explicitly considers fixed and variable infrastructure costs, charging power levels, the number of charging points, land requirements, and service reliability. Priority regions and corridors are identified according to freight flow intensity and network connectivity, enabling governments to target investments where utilisation and emissions reduction potential are highest. A phased rollout strategy supports gradual deployment, reducing fiscal risk and electricity grid pressure while maintaining adequate service levels. Results show that strategically located, high-capacity charging stations along a limited number of high-demand, bidirectional corridors can serve more than half of national light and medium-duty freight activity while significantly reducing land use and system-wide infrastructure costs. The framework provides implementation-oriented guidance for policymakers designing freight electrification roadmaps and infrastructure investment strategies.