Increasing the use of battery electric trucks in line-haul operations An analysis of the enablers and barriers for electrification in the transportation system - from a network perspective

Abstract

There is increasing pressure to decarbonize the transportation sector as a response to the climate change, the climate targets, and the European Union´s target of reaching net-zero emission by 2050. This Thesis investigates the introduction of electric trucks (BETs), into DB Schenker´s line-haul operation, with focus on the technical, operational, and economical feasibility. A mixed-method approach was used, including a multiple case study, where three routes from DB Schenker´s trans- portation network were analyzed, focusing on total cost of ownership (TCO), and supported by interviews with key stakeholders involved in the transformation to electricity on these routes. The Thesis also uses the ARA-framework to analyze how actors, resources and activities influence and enable this transformation. The findings show that while introduction of BETs offer both environmental and cost benefits in the long run, the transition faces challenges in terms of infrastructure development and cooperation between actors in the transportation ecosystem.