Electrification choices of heavy road transporters : An exploratory study of the connections between the technology choices and the transporters' business models

Abstract: Problem Discussion: In the Swedish context, 74 per cent of transports are within regional borders, meaning that transportation departed in a specific region seldom leaves the region it departed from. This condition makes it possible to transition many trucks in the Swedish transportation fleet to electric. It was found that the increasing interest in transitioning to the electrification of transportation, as well as the choice of technology, reflects the need for transportation actors to make a decision regarding which type of electrification technology to implement into their operations. Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore the connection between the choice of different electrification technologies and the transportation actors' business models for different local and regional heavy truck applications in Sweden. Methodology: A qualitative case study was selected with an abductive approach. The data collection was performed by semi-structured interviews with both transporters, who operate the vehicles, and with their surrounding system actors. The analysis method that was used was thematic analysis. Analysis: From the collected data, some influential aspects were found to have an impact on the choices of technology and/or business model components. These were further explored and analyzed in relation to the respective technology and the transporters' business models to derive connecting factors as findings. Findings and Conclusion: In total, five connecting factors were derived. These were the baseline/investment cost of complements, flexibility, load capacity and range, new ownership models, and closeness of partners. The flexibility factor offered an additional interpretation of the theoretical perspective on alignment structures by bundling customers to ensure the deliverability of the proposed value. The connecting factors were found to have a small but not substantial difference in effect between the applications of regional-, construction-, and waste collecting transports.