Action Plan for Research in Road Freight Transport

The analysis describes the current status of freight transport research in the Nordic countries. Desk research has been conducted on research results and ongoing research in the field. In addition, interviews were conducted with key actors.

The analysis of the research carried out shows that, particularly in Sweden, very extensive research has been carried out on the theme. Most of the research concerns alternative fuels and many projects have been carried out on hydrogen in particular.

Projects on alternative fuels often focus on the positive effects of using a single fuel, but there is also research that looks across fuels.

There is also some research on the digitalisation of logistics concepts and some general projects looking at the whole system. There are relatively few projects assessing instruments to make road freight transport more climate friendly.

Most research activities are individual projects, but in Sweden platforms have been established where researchers, industry and authorities work together on research.

See the report "Action Plan for a Research Program for Road Freight Transport":

See "Action Plan for establishing a Nordic Research Programme for Heavy Road Transport":

CONCITO's recommendations on how to strengthen road freight transport research point to a focus on how to accelerate the process towards implementation.

There is a need for research that produces knowledge on individual topics, but at the Nordic level there is a greater need to consolidate research in order to show the way towards the implementation of greener and climate-friendly freight transport. It is important that this is done at the Nordic level because much freight transport is cross-border.

Specifically, it is recommended that joint research funding is established by earmarking national funding for the area. Mechanisms should also be developed to consolidate research, for example through critical reviews of a number of research projects leading to conclusions. Furthermore, it would be appropriate to turn the Swedish platform initiatives into joint Nordic initiatives.

Finally, four areas for further joint research are identified:

1) Climate impact and sustainable scale of biomass in transport 

2) Joint demonstration projects of E-roads

3) Optimisation of cross-company logistics concepts

4) Policy instruments to create a more climate-friendly and sustainable freight transport sector