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Impact of an eHighway on the directly emitted greenhouse gases by road freight transport

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  • Schöpp, Ferdinand
  • Öztürk, Özgür
  • Wilke, Jürgen
  • Linke, Regina
  • Kaßens-Noor, Eva

Abstract

German legislation sets forth that anthropogenic greenhouse gases must be net-zero from 2045 onward (KSG, 2019). In contrast, road freight transport is projected to grow significantly (BMVBS, 2008; BMVI, 2021). If sustainable solutions for road freight transport are not implemented swiftly, Germany will not be able to meet its climate protection targets. This study analyzes the potential of the eHighway system—an overhead contact line-based electrification of trucks—to reduce the road freight transport's carbon footprint. Based on more than three years of field test operation with over 500,000 real-world driven kilometers, we estimate the saving potential of directly emitted greenhouse gases from five pilot overhead contact line trucks that use the eHighway system (O-trucks). We conclude that with only a five percent electrified stretch of a trip, 14–17% of direct greenhouse gas emissions are saved compared to a conventional truck. We develop a scaling and comparison calculator for the estimation of directly emitted greenhouse gases of O-trucks. We argue that with an electricity mix based upon renewable energies and an appropriately extended eHighway network, road freight transport is capable of offering transport with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Based on a unique data set, we provide a benchmark for all further research in evaluating eHighway technology and for comparing it to alternative drive technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Schöpp, Ferdinand & Öztürk, Özgür & Wilke, Jürgen & Linke, Regina & Kaßens-Noor, Eva, 2024. "Impact of an eHighway on the directly emitted greenhouse gases by road freight transport," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 300-308.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:155:y:2024:i:c:p:300-308
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2024.07.011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lukas Netzer & David Wöss & Thomas Märzinger & Werner Müller & Tobias Pröll, 2022. "Impact of an E-Highway on the Required Battery Capacities and Charging Infrastructure for Cargo Transport with E-Trucks on the Basis of a Real Use Case," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Plötz, Patrick & Gnann, Till & Jochem, Patrick & Yilmaz, Hasan Ümitcan & Kaschub, Thomas, 2019. "Impact of electric trucks powered by overhead lines on the European electricity system and CO2 emissions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 32-40.
    3. Noll, Bessie & del Val, Santiago & Schmidt, Tobias S. & Steffen, Bjarne, 2022. "Analyzing the competitiveness of low-carbon drive-technologies in road-freight: A total cost of ownership analysis in Europe," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    4. Schwerdfeger, Stefan & Bock, Stefan & Boysen, Nils & Briskorn, Dirk, 2022. "Optimizing the electrification of roads with charge-while-drive technology," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 299(3), pages 1111-1127.
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