Pledge to the Government: We want to electrify Sweden's freight transport
The purpose of Electrification Hub is that several large companies, regions and research environments concentrate their efforts in order to accelerate the conversion regarding electrification, energy and electromobility. The parties have now submitted an Electrification Pledge to the Government’s Commission for Electrification that shows how the actors in Electrification Hub contribute to fossil-free freight transport and the climate targets of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and a 70 per cent reduction in emissions from domestic transport by the year 2030. The pledge was presented on May 31 at a press conference with Minister of Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth.
The following parties support the Electrification pledge through the Electrification Hub: ABB, Alstom, Epiroc, Hitachi ABB Power Grids, InnoEnergy, Mälardalen University (MDH), Northvolt, Scania, Svealandstrafiken, Volvo Construction Equipment, RISE, Uppsala University, and Region Västmanland and Västerås City. In addition, the County Administrative Board of Västmanland, Mälarenergi and AA logistics are also participating in the Electrification Pledge.
The Electrification Pledge comprises three parts, which aim to contribute to accelerating climate transition through innovation, research and the implementation of sustainable solutions in electrification.
The Electrification Pledge consists of three parts:
- Concrete efforts and implementation of solutions around the Mälardalen region where the parties have operations. The aim of the measures is to jointly convert regional freight transport to electric power, and to contribute to achieving the national objectives for freight transport and the freight strategy which was developed by the Council for the Stockholm Mälar Region. Examples include the conversion of the parties' own transport, the development and expansion of charging infrastructure together with energy and charging solution suppliers in more regions, to create an efficient structure that connects logistics nodes in an electrified transport chain in Mälardalen, Sweden and Europe.
- Development and offering of solutions for the national and international conversion of the transport and energy system. The parties intend to develop long-term sustainable and scalable electrification solutions as well as electrified vehicles that are at the forefront, and that contribute to the conversion for Swedish regions and globally.
- Actively contribute with expertise and data in joint development efforts. The parties intend to develop technical solutions, cooperation and business models for accelerated vehicle development and charging infrastructure for freight transport. For instance, the parties intend to carry out information activities for hauliers and trade associations, collaboration in education and research efforts regarding implementation projects that raise the level of knowledge and provide guidance for fact-based decisions and investments.
- Together with our collaboration partners in the Electrification Pledge and through cooperation in Electrification Hub with start-ups that have high innovation capability, we will be able to contribute to shorter time from innovation to conversion for electrified transport. We can enable the implementation of large-scale demonstrations at system level and component-level test activities throughout the entire value chain from electricity grid to electric driveline, not only in Sweden but also internationally, says Mikael Hjorth, Process Manager, Electrification Hub.
- The transition in society for increased electrification of freight transport is happening quickly and is a major societal challenge that we want to help solve. We have capabilities and strengths in Västmanland and Eastern Central Sweden that give us unique opportunities to contribute to the Government's goals and at the same time drive Swedish growth in electrification and mobility where we have a strong export industry, says Maria Linder, Regional Development Director, Region Västmanland.
- Collaboration throughout the entire value chain in order to share experiences, develop opportunities and test solutions is of vital importance to increase the speed of development in the electrification of heavy transport. By contributing with our solutions for charging infrastructure, electric drivelines and efficient electricity networks, we can help enable accelerated electrification of the entire transport sector, says Ulf Hellström, Business Area Manager Motion, ABB Sweden.
About Electrification Hub
Electrification Hub is a leading industrial cluster that brings together cutting-edge expertise in Eastern Central Sweden and Stockholm on joint initiatives to accelerate the development of electrification, energy and electromobility to further drive climate change in Sweden and internationally. By implementing and demonstrating solutions, conducting research and development, industrialising innovations, contributing to policy development as well as attracting and developing new skills, we can strengthen efforts to reduce emissions, promote sustainable growth and the national and global climate and environmental goals.