Project outline

The aim of the CollERS2 project is to compile results from field trials in Germany and Sweden on the use of electric road systems (ERS) for the decarbonisation of road-based heavy goods transport and the associated accompanying research. These are to be presented and shared with European partners in a European context towards the joint development of long-term strategies for the cross-border implementation of ERS. The project builds on the official innovation partnership between Germany and Sweden that has been in place since 2017. In addition, the goal is to integrate other European partners into the ERS discussion during the course of the project.

The technical focus of the partners from Germany is on investigating the potential of overhead lines for ERS, as these are already undergoing practical testing in public spaces in the three field trials in Hesse, Schleswig-Holstein and Baden-Württemberg. In addition, the potentials of conductor rails and inductive technologies will be investigated. The potential of ERS will also be compared to other zero-emission approaches in road freight transport, such as the use of fuel cells or purely battery-electric vehicles with a stationary charging infrastructure, and their synergies will be highlighted. In addition to the technology assessment, regulatory and economic aspects as well as aspects of social acceptance will also be taken into account.

As one result of the project, recommendations for action will be developed for a European expansion of ERS technologies. The starting point for this is a future European ERS network along major TEN-T corridors.

Duration: May 2021 - September 2022 (Sweden) / May 2023 (Germany)