KIEL/DRESDEN. The Technische Universität Dresden and the FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel GmbH have published the white paper “Decarbonization of road freight transport – Think European – and act now!”.

The authors compile arguments from various national and international studies that demonstrate the added value of overhead line systems. With the paper and the included appeal to politicians to deal with the results of the field tests, the research is reacting to the sluggish development in the decarbonization of heavy goods traffic on German freeways.

“In order to successfully manage the necessary ecological transformation of road freight transport, industry and logistics urgently need planning certainty and concrete targets in relation to the transformation goal,” the researchers emphasize. In doing so, they refer to the likely failure to meet the targets agreed in the Climate Protection Act for the transport sector by 2030 (see figure).

A fact check of the existing and conceivable alternative technologies leads the authors to the conclusion: “The overhead line shows the greatest ecological and also economic potential. Consequently, Germany has invested in testing it.” Now is the time for fact-based and trend-setting decisions with a signal effect for Europe and international markets. “The facts speak in favor of the overhead line system and the step from field trials to large-scale application,” is the conclusion of the FESH accompanying research.

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white paper