Electric road systems in Norway and Sweden-impact on CO<inf>2</inf> emissions and infrastructure cost

Abstract

This study investigates a large-scale implementation of electric road system (ERS) in Norway and Sweden by analysing (i) which roads, (ii) how much of the road network and (iii) what vehicle types that are beneficial to electrify based on analysis of road traffic volumes, CO 2 emissions mitigation potential and infrastructure investment costs per vehicle kilometre. All European and National roads in Norway and Sweden have been included assuming different degrees of electrification in terms fraction of the road length with ERS, prioritizing high traffic roads. The results show similar effect from ERS in Norway and Sweden. Implementing ERS on 25% of the busiest European and National road length in both countries is enough to result in an electrification of approximately 70% of the vehicle kilometres on these roads and 35% of the total vehicle kilometres on all roads. An ERS on all European and National roads will include 60 and 70% of the vehicle kilometres and CO 2 emissions from all heavy traffic in Norway and Sweden, respectively. The results also show that aiming to electrify more than 50% of the light vehicles with ERS implies that also county roads and private roads need to be included. For a majority of the European and National roads, the infrastructure investment cost per vehicle kilometre are low compare to the current cost for diesel per kilometre assuming a depreciation time of ERS investments of 35 years.