Abstract for: System level impacts of electrification on road freight transport efficiency - a System Dynamics approach

Abstract This paper explores the complexities of the freight transport system, considering its various aspects and stakeholders. Traditionally, efficiency in road freight has focused on cost, mainly benefiting businesses. However, broader efficiency measures, including societal benefits, gain significance as sustainability becomes more crucial. Sweden's ambitious climate goals highlight the need to decarbonise the transport system, mainly through electrification. Despite this urgency, progress in electrifying heavy-duty freight vehicles could be faster. This study uses a system dynamics model to examine how electrification will impact transport efficiency. Key findings highlight the interconnectedness of different efficiencies and stakeholders within the system, revealing seven distinct types of efficiencies and their dynamics. Moreover, electrification introduces new complexities, adding additional stakeholders and altering existing dynamics. For instance, the paper elucidates how electrification enhances system fuel efficiency, showcasing its potential to elevate overall system-level efficiency. By understanding these dynamics, the paper sheds light on how electrification changes freight transport and emphasises the importance of planning, especially in infrastructure development, for successful electrification efforts and improved efficiencies. This analysis offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders navigating the transition to sustainable freight transport.