Stationary charging infrastructure: Managing investment risks to enable charging possibilities : A case study of a future stationary charging hub in Stockholm South

Abstract: The electrification of heavy transport is considered a solution to climate change. Today, electrification is challenged by high investment costs for vehicles and charging, which hampers the conversion. The purpose is to investigate what investment risks occur when creating a stationary charging hub by focusing on three different charging possibilities (private, semi-public, and public) to examine the differences between them. The study is a case study with the study object Stockholm South, which is considered to be a future logistics area. The study is based on literature, documents, and interviews with actors linked to the study object. Moreover, to identify potential investment risks the study conducts a life cycle cost analysis of a stationary charging hub. The conducted interviews identified that several actors are positive to enable a charging hub, but are challenged by high investment costs, uncertainties regarding electricity network capacity, and future prospects linked to the technological development of electric trucks and charging technology. Moreover, the interviews also identified opportunities such as financial support, potential market advantages of being one of the firsts on the market, and contribution to a sustainable transport sector. The results of the cost analysis show that a stationary charging hub for heavy goods transport entails high investments and operating costs, which are affected by future aspects such as electricity prices, electricity networks, technology development, and utilisation rate. In addition, the choice of closed or open charging hub has an impact on the total cost. The analysis of the results indicates that collaboration between the involved actors can facilitate several of the identified challenges and risks. The study contributes to expanding the empirical data on stationary charging infrastructure for heavy freight transport. In addition, the study contributes with a cost analysis for a charging station that can provide inspiration and a basis for future investments. The theoretical contribution mainly concerns how new technologies in ecosystem theory are handled in relation to collaboration and business models.