Abstract

Flexible and economic systems for electric operation of road vehicles is an area of interest for researchand development. This report applies such systems to the operation of city buses in Linköping. An LTHdeveloped software for simulations and economic optimizations of such systems is used and a few systemdesigns are presented. The tested systems differ in selection of bus lines and the type of chargingsystem: bus stop charger, high power bus stop charger and electric road. An attempt to a realistic costand performance estimate of the main components is presented. All buses are assumed to operatewith the same time table as today. Under some of the assumptions these systems are shown to becost competitive to diesel and gas buses in addition to being quieter and without local pollution. Thisresult is however uncertain due to the difficulty in predicting the cost of new technologies and due toother sources of error such as error in assumed energy consumption.

Abstract

a major contributor to reaching the goals of de-carbonization of the transport sector, the introduction of ERS-systems for heavy vehicles is a prioritized action, with Sweden as an example. Even if de-carbonization is asked for by policymakers, and part of the medium to long term strategy for many transport market players, it is very difficult to get the transition to take off. Hindrances related to current roles on the market, regulation and the ability to find new ways to finance and foster new business models can be observed. This resembles a ‘true uncertainty’-situation. The result might be a dead-lock where the introduction of ERS-systems is delayed. It is argued here that platforms and frameworks for testing new systems, where “regimes” supporting shared risk mitigation, faster innovation, and deployment of ERS-technology could be supported. We discuss possible ways for establishing such platforms and crucial policy content for these.

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new method to operationalize social barriers for innovative technologies. Technical feasibility and economic viability are no guarantee for the development and take-off of an innovation. We combine insights from multi-level perspective (MLP) and technological innovation systems (TIS) theory to develop a framework for the identification and evaluation of actor-centred barriers. We illustrate the method through an application to catenary hybrid truck (CHT) technology in Germany. Relevant stakeholders were identified via document research and subsequent network analysis, and then approached to fill out a survey. Additional data was gathered using semi-structured interviews with key actors, and content analysis. We show how the implementation of CHT may be hampered by resistance from the regime and by a lack of focused expectations and lobbying within the niche.