It is entirely possible to maintain efficient transportation, but only if we drastically reduce the heavy emissions of the transport sector. Consequently, electrification is critical to the transport sector.
We need to make a rapid switch from fossil-dependent to electrified transportation. Making this happen will require new technologies, large amounts of electricity and a reliable electricity system that can deliver the electricity that the transport sector will require.
The role of the electricity system for industry and transport in the future
The future is smart, fossil-free and electrically empowered! That is why we need more electricity, not less. More specifically, we need between 100 and 150 TWh more than today.
New efficient and fossil-free solutions
The transport sector is facing a challenging major transition. Today, transportation is responsible for one-third of Sweden’s overall emissions of greenhouse gases. Consequently, the Swedish Parliament has set a goal to reduce emissions from domestic transportation by a minimum of 70% by no later than year 2030, in comparison with 2010. This is imperative, if we are to manage the climate challenge and this is where electrification plays a critical role.
Sweden’s transport sector is currently conducting extensive work so that we can leave our dependency on fossil fuels behind and create smarter mobility for our future. One example is the innovation hub, MobilityXlab, which is a collaboration between Veoneer, CEVT, Ericsson, Zenuity, Volvo Group and Volvo Cars – companies that have historically been drivers of innovation and growth throughout the world. They are now taking the step into the future by joining forces to offer young and innovative companies the opportunity to develop their concepts for the transport sector of the future.
MobilityXlab supports some of the world’s most innovative companies within the field of mobility – companies that work with new transport technologies such as AI, energy storage and 5G. Together, they are responsible for innovations that, with the right conditions, could change the transport sector with safer, eco-friendlier and more efficient transportation.
Electrification is creating future mobility
With the current developments in Sweden, there are some great major opportunities to achieve the transport sector’s objectives, while creating a better transport sector for the future.
At Uniper we believe in a future where we do not need to sacrifice mobility and can continue to travel and use transportation – while being fossil-free. Electrified and autonomous vehicles will cut emissions drastically and make traffic safer. New technologies such as electrified roads, drones and electric airplanes can create additional transportation opportunities for society.
We envision cities with automated public transportation and more transport solutions shared by many. High-speed trains can make traveling simpler for long-distance domestic journeys and create more capacity for transporting goods by rail. Furthermore, hydrogen and biogas fuels can help to reduce emissions from heavy shipments. The future is bright with many opportunities, but none of them will be possible without a stable and reliable electricity supply every day of the year.
The transport sector of the future requires more stable electricity
Future transportation will require more stable, reliable and fossil-free electricity, not less. By 2030, Sweden is expected to have 2.5 million rechargeable vehicles in traffic. At the same time, electricity consumption is expected to increase 60% by 2045. Furthermore, we need a stable and reliable electricity system in order to avoid disruptions and breakdowns in transportation and traffic.
To succeed, we need a technically and economically balanced electricity system – one that utilizes all good sources of fossil-free power. Stable power sources such as hydro and nuclear power ensure that the system is always functioning with baseload power. Weather-dependent power sources allow for inexpensive electricity when the weather is favorable. Together, they create a stable and reliable consolidated system with a balanced mix between dispatchable, flexible and weather-dependent resources to meet the demands of society and the transport sector – one that functions under all conditions.
It is time to electrify the transport sector
There is no doubt that we will need a transportation system in the future, but it has to be fossil-free. Therefore, it is high time to electrify the transport sector and ensure a reliable, competitive and fossil-free electricity supply
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Hydrogen is not an energy source in itself, but just like electricity it is an energy carrier. It can therefore not be determined to be renewable, fossil-free or fossil without knowledge about the production process – it can be any of these things, depending entirely on how it is manufactured.
In line with the global climate goals, the Swedish parliament has decided that Sweden will have net zero emissions of carbon dioxide by 2045. For Sweden to achieve this goal, the electricity system must be developed at a rapid pace.
Innovation and the electrification of society will be crucial if we are to continue being competitive in the future and manage the climate challenge and it is our base industry that drives development and will play a critical role in our switch to a climate-friendly society.