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sundsvall • östersund • Trondheim – A DEVELOPMENT ZONE FOR FUTURE TRANSPORT | www.greenhighway.nu

GREEN HIGHWAY magaZinE

SWEDEN/NORWAY

2013/2014

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SUSTAINaBILITY

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Contents

GREEN HIGHWAY magaZinE

3 Green Highway boosts green development 6 Green and boundless

You are holding the second issue of Green Highway Magazine. Just as in the first issue, you can read about many interesting and intriguing aspects of the project. This time we have a particular focus on Green Highway from an external perspective. We also offer many good examples, big and small, and highlight unique investments in the field of sustainable transport.

Green Highway’s foundation is the partnership between Sundsvall, Östersund and Trondheim, which is now well-developed. It is built on mutual obligations and a shared commitment to the region, which stretches from the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, encompassing the counties of Västernorrland, Jämtland and Tröndelag.

On the basis of the partnership between the cities, we are also aiming to build strong ties with other municipalities in the region. Expanding this cooperation is potentially a huge resource for regional development, and the collaboration of public and private stakeholders throughout the region is a decisive factor in this. From this perspective, it is natural that we – as representatives of the three biggest cities in the region – have a particularly clear responsibility.

And, with that said, we hope you find Green Highway Magazine to be rewarding reading!

7 World-leading electricity in Storlien 8 News & notes 10 Solar energy charges electric vehicles 11 T FM – new technology making the electric vehicle industry more efficient 12 P ostal services on a green route 13 P osten Norge wants to be Norway’s greenest transport business 13 E lectric goods vehicles – a financial saving?

14 F ast, fun and smart – new charging infrastructure 16 T esting is over, now Zbee meets the world 17 M ore efficient driving with electric taxis 17 E busco, a quiet and ­convenient electric bus 18 Tesla opens in Trondheim 20 N ew technology ends range anxiety

AnnSofie Andersson Municipal Commissioner, Östersund

21 Å re Östersund Airport, ­aiming to be carbon neutral 22 How it works – a guide to ­vehicles and fuels 24 FAQ – we have the answers to your questions

Jörgen Berglund Municipal Commissioner, Sundsvall

25 Where green solutions are top of mind 26 EV Power develops a new payment system 28 Andreas Gyllenhammar – shifting power in the world of sustainability

Rita Ottervik Municipal Commissioner, Trondheim

PUBLISHED BY: GREEN HIGHWAY PUBLISHED BY: GREEN HIGHWAY PRODUCTION: Editor – Janna Thalén; Design – Syre; Printing – Berndtssons.com 2013.

WRITERS: Elisabet Aagård, Helena Bredberg, Janna Thalén.

TRANSLATION: Åre Translation PHOTOS/ILLUSTRATIONS: Tommy Andersson, Jämtkraft, Gösta Fries, Helene Gedda, Scanpix Sweden/Bengt O Nordin BON

EUROPEAN UNION European regional development fund

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Do you want to know more about Green Highway?

Read more at www.greenhighway.nu.

Gösta fries

>>

Green Highway powering the EU’s green transition

Climate targets are tough to meet, and the EU is facing the challenge of how to drastically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases over the coming decades. Work on smart, sustainable growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental work. Green Highway is contributing to Europe’s green future by making the EU’s targets reality.

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Jens Nilsson,

Scanpix Sweden/Bengt O Nordin BON

Member of the European Parliament (s)

EU targets

reduced

emissions

Reducing emissions from transport is an important part of achieving the EU targets for greenhouse gas emissions.

We need to reduce emissions by 80-95 per cent by 2050, compared to the levels in 1990. In order to achieve this we must increase the rate at which we are currently reducing emissions.

The target for 2020 is a 20 per cent drop in emissions, but recent calculations show that a reduction of at least ­ 25 per cent is required to reach the overall target for 2050. Sadly, progress is just too slow. Raised targets are being stopped one after another and real action is not being taken.

However, there is a little light on the horizon. This spring the European Parliament agreed on reduced carbon emissions from cars and vans, including the establishment of a long-term emissions target for 2025, which is important for both the climate and the transport sector. It creates a level of predictability for the industry and reduces transport costs, as well as bringing benefits for the climate and environment.

More decisions of this kind are required. We need a positive circle, where definite measures to reduce emissions lead to tougher legislation on reductions in emissions, and where higher targets result in more innovations and climate-smart investments. Local initiatives are vital, as the regions must be the workshops that make this transformation a success. The clock is ticking and it’s time to act.

Confessions of a small municipality Being a small municipality on the Green Highway results in opportunities and some concerns. In Meråker, Norway, the project is primarily seen as an opportunity to develop the municipality as a tourist destination.

“We don’t have any real ambitions to make active contributions to the various new technical innovations that come with Green Highway, but the environmental aspect of the project is interesting and matches our branding,” says Torbjørn Berg Strømstad, who is head of the municipality’s business unit.

He describes how Meråker Municipality has branded itself in the outdoor sector as a place where you can climb mountains, spend time in the wilderness and which has a ski college that produces healthy young adults - and where the municipality works with the idea of green tourism. Meråker has a fast charger for electric vehicles and, in partnership with Åre Municipality, there are plans for a cycle route between Enafors and Meråker.

“Of course, Green Highway has a great focus on electric cars, but we hope that it will also act as an attraction in itself; that Green Highway can be a destination that is worth travelling along thanks to the sights around it,” says Torbjørn Berg Strømstad.

For Meråker, Green Highway has meant encounters with thoughts and ideas that would not otherwise have crossed the municipality’s boundaries. Can electric cars be driven here? How could that happen? Can we do this before there is a good electric car with four-wheel-drive?

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“For Meråker, it’s all about getting to know the benefits of Green Highway,” says Torbjørn Berg Strømstad.

One of these benefits could be developing the Teveltunet activities area, between Trondheim and Östersund, as a destination.

“Another aspect that a small municipality can make use of is that Green Highway has established communication channels. Being part of Green Highway brings both demands and opportunities.”

Text: Elisabet Aagård

Electricity in Almedalen During the Almedalen Week in Visby, on the island of Got-

Ånge gets a boost from Green Highway In this context, with around 9,600 inhabitants, Ånge Municipality is a small stakeholder – but this hasn’t stopped Linn Glad, energy and climate adviser for Ånge and Bräcke municipalities, from talking about energy issues and electrically-powered transport with residents. In cooperation with Green Highway, a theme day was held on 16 May 2013 in Ånge’s town square, on the subject of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

“There is a great need for information and knowledge.

The aim of the event was to break down barriers around electric vehicles and to provide inspiration for stakeholder partnerships that can lead to more charging opportunities,” says Linn Glad. The event brought together many local individuals and companies, which also showed interest in financing more charging stations. “Good green profiling is becoming more important to businesses, and they can see a potential for increased sales when customers stop and shop,” she continues.

Cooperating with Green Highway has given Linn Glad access to networks and ready-made information concepts.

“Green Highway means an incredible amount to a small municipality like ours. Previously, I had problems reaching out with information and it was tough to get people to take part in activities, but now there are established contacts with vehicle traders, for example. Also, the way that one of the world’s longest stretches of road adapted for electric vehicles cuts through the county is an argument that’s difficult to beat,” she says with a laugh.

Another positive effect of the investments in Green Highway is getting up-to-date information about what is happening in the transport sector, according to Linn Glad.

“The project highlights local examples, which are important in getting companies to take action,” she says.

Experience exchanges with other small municipalities in both Sweden and Norway are also important. Through Green Highway, Linn Glad has made contact with her counterpart in a Norwegian municipality, a meeting that would probably not have occurred without the help of the project’s network.

Text: Janna Thalén

land, among politicians, influential people, decision-makers and lobbyists, one electric car attracted a great deal of interest and embodied the message of Green Highway and Jämtkraft – there are fossil-free transport solutions that work. Two popular seminars gathered power companies, vehicle manufacturers, trade and industry and public bodies, so they could discuss future power sources in the transport sector.

“Our aim with the seminars was to create an open university at which we could discuss long-term, sustainable solutions.

A panel debate with a number of politicians also allowed us to hear their opinions on bonuses for green vehicles in general and for cars in particular,” says Hans Dunder, social planner at Sundsvall Municipality and a representative of Green Highway.

One definite outcome of the activities in Almedalen was that a number of stakeholders in the public and private sectors started an informal network so they can work more effectively on investments in fossil-free alternatives. Hans Dunder is not surprised.

“Almedalen is an incredible meeting place,” he says.

Read what Andreas Gyllenhammar has to say about shifting power in the world of sustainability – page 28.

88%

Of all personal transportation takes place on the road and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future, particularly in rural areas. We have to stop seeing cars as a problem in our climate politics and see them as part of the solution.

Minister of Transport Marit Arnstad, Norway

This quote is about the recently presented national infrastructure plan for Norway, which stretches to 2015 and aims to make electric cars a natural part of road traffic. The plan concludes with a requirement for 249 new fast charging stations in and around the major cities, along transport corridors and in rural areas.

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Green and boundless

– Sweden and Norway in a fruitful partnership Top marks in meeting targets for economic growth. According to a recent evaluation, Green Highway takes a podium place among the 115 projects that are part of Interreg. ­Enthusiastic politicians, good cooperation between east and west and a ­focus on networking are all ingredients in its recipe for ­success.

The mountains are white in the distance. In the village, the weather is a­ lternating between mist and sun on the beautiful autumn day that Sweden and Norway meet in Åre. It’s not the first time that Kjell Inge Stellander and Tomas Arvidsson, both project managers with Green Highway, in Trondheim and Östersund respectively, have met here. Along with Johan Klockar Öhrnell from Sundsvall, they are used to meeting somewhere along the 450 km long route that is the Green Highway. Sundsvall, Östersund and Trondheim are the nodes in the SÖT partnership that forms the framework of investments in Green Highway.

This ambitious Interreg Sweden-Norway programme for 2007-2013, with a budget totalling EUR 120 million, was recently evaluated; of 115 projects, Green Highway was one of three projects that received top marks in all the criteria in the evaluation model. This is an excellent grade says Tomas Arvidsson, who thinks one explanation is that Green Highway is happening at the right time.

“Climate conferences in Rio and Copenhagen and tough targets in the EU and nationally mean that Green Highway is a practical tool for responding to the issues being raised,” he says.

It is also very important that the region has a long tradition of working in an east-west direction, according to Kjell Inge Stellander.

“There has been a long-term approach and clear political commitment from the very beginning. Politicians have chosen to see the opportunities and we have responded to their ambitions and delivered concrete results.”

By working strategically with an extensive network, Green Highway has created attractive meeting places for business and public bodies. One example is Ånge Municipality, which held a theme day on electric transport in partnership with Green Highway, where the municipality, power companies, vehicle traders and local businesses met to exchange experiences and enter business agreements.

“Our task is to gather influential partners, such as power companies, who can invest in and actually build charging stations or develop new products and services,” explains Tomas Arvidsson.

Kjell Inge Stellander estimates that spin-off projects worth around SEK 40 million have been developed in the wake of Green Highway. There is no doubt that there is a commercial value to the Green Highway brand, something that business and the public sector can use to their advantage.

“Even at an early stage, we received indications that other areas and countries were interested in using the brand strategically, which has given us a reason to think commercially. Our aim is to increase the competitiveness of business and to create an attractive region for both residents and tourists,” concludes Kjell Inge Stellander.

Text: Janna Thalén Kjell Inge Stellander and Tomas Arvidsson on the way to a greener future.

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Gösta Fries

World-leading electricity in Storlien

In the heart of the bitter winter, one of the world’s most modern and versatile charging stations opened in Storlien, a small mountain village with just 76 permanent residents. The new multi-standard fast charging station, that links east and west, is here.

At first glance, it may seem strange that a multi-standard fast charging station is located high in the mountains, on the border between Norway and Sweden – though actually it’s entirely natural. Placing the charging station in Storlien links the two countries and makes it possible to travel smoothly from coast to coast in an east-west direction. As a bonus, there’s the chance to influence the vibrant cross-border trade from an environmental perspective, as well as mountain resorts such as Storlien and Åre, which are keen to profile themselves as attractive destinations. Kjell Inge Stellander, project manager for Green Highway in Trondheim, is enthusiastic about the investment: “In the rest of Europe, electric vehicles are regarded as an urban phenomenon. Now we can show that we have the infrastructure and the technology in rural areas, and that they even work in demanding winter conditions,” he says.

Storlien’s charging station is covered and has several spaces, so that up to five vehicles can recharge at the same time. With the very latest technology, the station is not only fast, it’s also smart, which means that it can communicate with a range of payment systems, for example. As the multi-standard fast charger is compatible with all the available charging standards, the idea is that no owner of an electric vehicle will be without the power to continue their journey.

“The charging station is symbolically important from a ­Norwegian-Swedish perspective. It doesn’t just link two countries, but is an all-in-one, politically, environmentally, economically and innovatively, and demonstrates how we want to work in the future alongside our progressive partner,” explains Kjell Inge Stellander.

Behind Storlien’s charging station is a partnership that consists of Green Highway, Jämtkraft, COOP Sverige, EV Power, NTE and Transnova in Norway, a state initiative to promote climate-efficient transport. Tomas Arvidsson, project manager for Green Highway in Östersund, sees it as an extra bonus that Norwegian Transnova has chosen to invest in Sweden.

“Instead of focusing on borders as a barrier, they have chosen to regard the route between Trondheim and Sundsvall as an important transport corridor for the region, which we see as being very positive,” he says.

Text: Janna Thalén

FACTS All the electric vehicles currently on the market, and new models in the foreseeable future, can recharge at the charging station in Storlien, which has the following standards: * ChargeStorm smart charger with two 32A/400V chargers * Garo smart charger with two 32A/400V chargers * Garo multi-standard fast charger for CHAdeMO and CCS standards and one connector for charging at AC 43 kW. Page 7

Not just pedal power in Bräcke If you leave your car or quad bike in for

New route choices and clean air The focus was on Europe’s mobility on 16-22 September, when thousands of cities around Europe participated in the European Mobility Week – an event to encourage people to try out alternative transport solutions with the aim of creating sustainable transport for the future. This year’s theme was “Clean air – it’s your move”. Östersund took part in European Mobility Week for the eleventh year in a row and, for seven busy days, interested visitors could learn all about electric vehicles, look at electric car rallying, try electric bikes and take courses in charging electric cars or refilling biogas, as well as many other things. Green Highway hosted two popular seminars on the themes of the road to freedom from fossil fuels and the opportunities presented by biogas.

Around 50 activities were arranged in total, with the help of about 40 partners. Early next year, it will be announced which European city will win the prize for the best organiser of European Mobility Week 2013. Östersund has been among the top ten organisers for a number of years, and last year shared second place with Gävle, behind the winner, Zagreb. Read more about European Mobility Week at www.mobilityweek.eu/

Did you know... that at the end of August 2013, there were 14,462 rechargeable cars on Norwegian roads. Of these, 13,877 were electric cars and 585 were plug-in hybrids. Source: Grønn Bil.

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service at Bräcke Sport & Fritid and are unsure about how to get home, its owner Håkan Larsson has the answer – an electric bike. Borrowing an electric bike has become popular and there is a great deal of surprise about how well they work.

“Many people were critical and worried that the battery would run out, but capacity has greatly improved and I think 70 km is enough for most people,” says Håkan Larsson and laughs.

The borrowed bikes have boosted sales.

The municipal home care service recently purchased two electric bikes to make it easy to visit clients.

“Hills can be hard work on an ordinary bike. With an electric bike all you have to do is move the pedals and the electric motor does the rest”, explains Håkan.

Best in

electric cars Östersund took first place among

Swedish municipalities, being ranked as the country’s best for electric vehicles in 2012/2013, ahead of municipalities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg.

The ranking is based on the number of electric vehicles per inhabitant, the number of electric vehicles per car and the number of charging stations per electric vehicle; it is produced by the Easycharge consultancy company in Stockholm.

New guides on the internet Read about the latest gas cars in the

Charged and ready to roll The power industry and vehicle manufacturers have now agreed on a common European standard for charging electric vehicles. From 2017, all charging stations in public areas must have fixed cables with type 2 sockets and be connected to the internet. This user-friendly technology is already used in all the charging stations in Östersund and the surrounding area; charging your electric vehicle should be easier than filling up with traditional fossil fuels. The Green Highway area is the first in Europe to have smart charging. There are already more than 50 charging stations in and around Östersund and, according to M ­ ikael Hagman at Jämtkraft, the hope is that there will be a few hundred within a year.

CNG Vehicles Guide, a global guide that focuses on the Swedish and Norwegian markets for 2013’s models. It has prices, performance and range for biogas operation, information about safety, links for additional reading and much, much more.

The Buyers’ Guide for Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Cars provides you with the latest news about electric cars, including technical data about new products at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The guide includes the majority of makes and models on the market in 2013, as well as models that are expected to be available in the next 12 months. Compare prices, check range and charging times, assess safety and learn more about battery technology. www.greenhighway.nu/en/vehicle-guides/

Quick facts Increasing numbers of people are investing in electric vehicles, not least in Tröndelag where electric vehicles are now a real success.

Charging points 283

250 Gösta fries

Loan an electric car

300

Interested in how well an electric car would suit your business? Take the chance to loan an electric car for free, from seven days to two weeks, and try it out.

This offer is aimed at companies, organisations and municipalities and is valid November 2013 – June 2014. In return, users will reply to an evaluation survey about driving an electric car and participate in a follow-up in the summer of 2014. Contact Green Highway for more information.

200 150 100

0

68

67

50 8

*

June 2013

Rechargeable cars 1200 1017

1000 800 600 400 200 0

38

**

128

39 June 2013

Fast charging stations 6 5

5

4

4 3 2

2 1 0

0 June 2013

* Number of parking spaces where you can charge your vehicle ** Electrical vehicles and plug-in hybrid electrical vehicles

Västernorland Jämtland Sør-Trøndelag Nor-Trøndelag

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JÄMTKRAFT

Solar power Seventy-six solar panels on the roof of Jämtkraft’s garage in Östersund ensure that the company’s five electric cars can cover 100,000 km annually on renewable power. This is a solar power test ­system to see how much energy can be generated at our latitudes and to provide knowledge that may benefit future owners of electric cars.

Six months into the project, the results are surprisingly positive, though whether this is due to an unusually fine early spring or the sun in Jämtland being more effective than expected remains to be seen. Daniel Köbi, project manager and responsible for the investments in solar power, enthusiastically displays the graph of the spring and summer’s production.

“There are fewer sunshine hours in March and April, but the cold means that the solar cells produce more power.

This is interesting from a consumer perspective, because in the spring we probably consume more electricity than during the summer,” explains Daniel Köbi.

Jämtkraft is investing in solar power on its customers’ behalf; increasing interest in micro-production among Jämtkraft’s customers has led to more demands on knowledge and information.

“It’s important that we understand how it works so that we can serve our customers. What’s monthly production like? How does it differ throughout the year? What’s needed to be able to build a system? These are questions that we often get and need to answer,” says Daniel Köbi.

It is now possible to have net metering for electricity, which means that customers offset their own production against the electricity they use. So far, interest in producing electricity is greatest on the private market, but more and more companies are seeing the benefits of having their own solar power system. There is an investment cost, but net

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metering means that you can recoup it within a reasonable time, according to Daniel Köbi.

“Solar power is a simple, obvious way for companies to boost their environmental profile. If you choose to invest in one or more electric cars it makes sense to review the energy issue in its entirety. This is a part of the future’s electricity grid, not least in the Green Highway area where increasing numbers are choosing electric cars as a potential means of transport.”

More people are becoming interested in solar energy and the number of installed systems is increasing, bringing an upswing for industries that see a new niche to move into, such as electricians and roofers.

“More overall knowledge is needed, and we want to contribute to it. At present we won’t be making large-scale investments, but some people think that our local offices should have solar panels too. We’ll see,” says Daniel with a laugh.

Jämtkraft’s solar power system started operating ­February 2013 and will be continually evaluated. NORUT, the Northern Research Institute in Narvik, has helped to design the system and conducted simulations. The researchers are hoping to get a better picture of solar radiation in northern Sweden, as the satellites that measure solar radiation do not reach far enough north.

Text: Janna Thalén

Daniel Köbi, project manager at Elnät together with Henrik Juhlin, business developer at Elhandel.

Facts Jämtkraft’s system has seventy-six 260W panels, in four serially connected rows mounted at a 45-degree angle to the sky, totalling 128 square metres.

From February to mid-August 2013, the system has produced 14,248 kWh, which is the equivalent of more than 70,000 km of driving in an electric car.

The total annual power production is estimated at almost 19,000 kWh. Individuals, businesses and public bodies can obtain grants from the Swedish Energy Agency for up to 35 per cent of the investment cost for installing solar cells. Apply via the local county administrative board: www.lansstyrelsen.se.

TFM New knowledge with

The City of Östersund and Saab are currently conducting a pilot project in which the municipality’s electric cars, Peugeot iON, are equipped with a TFM (Telematic Fleet Maintenance system). The system automatically collects data about the vehicle – information that can make the entire electric vehicle industry more efficient.

TFM brings new opportunities to the electric vehicle market, as the information that the system generates can make driving more efficient and contribute to reducing environmental impact.

“For example, we can calculate how much carbon dioxide wasn’t emitted due to using an electric car instead of a fossil-fuel vehicle. Daily reductions in environmental impact could be broadcast as live data on a website to inspire others to choose electric vehicles,” says Tomas Fahlén at Saab.

Saab in Lugnvik, which is part of the Green Highway Test Arena network, developed the system and has installed it in fossil-fuel vehicles for a number of years. It’s now been adapted to electric cars and has great potential for the entire chain – from manufacturers to users of electric vehicles.

“Vehicle suppliers want to know how and where the vehicle is used, if it has the right performance level, what happened before a fault occurred or information for guarantee issues. The customer wants the same information to find out whether the car lives up to what it promised, such as range, and how it works in different situations, such as cold weather,” explains Tomas Fahlén.

The information is also of interest to people planning fleets of electric vehicles, so they can compare different vehicles and vehicle types. Drivers who are part of a car pool and who book cars via an internet app should be able to see the charging status and temperature, so they can decide whether the car heater should start automatically at a particular time, for example.

“In addition, the power company can benefit from knowing where electric vehicles are charged and when power is used in order to develop its offering. There are many areas of use, we just have to utilise the information,” says Tomas Fahlén.

Text: Helena Bredberg

Facts Daily production for Jämtkraft’s solar power system in April 2013 and July 2013. More electricity was produced in April (2702 kWh) than in July (2333 kWh). There were more days above 100 kWh/day in April (12) than in July (6). The sunny weather in April had a positive effect, but it is important to note that solar cells are more efficient at lower temperatures – despite lower solar radiation it is possible to obtain high power output. Reflection from the snow also has a positive effect.

The TFM system is connected to the vehicle’s computer network and is used to register and transfer measured data and environmental variables from the mobile unit to a central database.

The actual unit is small and easily installed, perhaps under the dashboard, and uses an internal or external GPS antenna. The information is transferred to a secure central database where it is stored and processed. Reports are then extracted from the database and the vehicle owner can use them to present any period of time.

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Environmental work

every day at PostNord More electric vehicles, shorter transports and purchasing fossil-free power are a few of the investments in a green future that are being made by PostNord. In Östersund, moving letterboxes marked the start of Grön Rutt (green route), a simple and effective idea that is now being tested in other areas of Sweden.

Every day, PostNord distributes 11 million letters, almost 400,000 packages and 11,000 goods pallets to the 25 million inhabitants and two million companies located in the Nordic area. This means many miles during the working day and significant environmental impact. PostNord has therefore established what is perhaps the industry’s toughest environmental target – reducing carbon emissions by 40 per cent before 2020.

However, achieving this requires a shared vision and changes being made at every level. The attitude that each saved kilowatt hour or litre of fuel is a way to be economic with the Earth’s and the company’s resources characterises all operations, from the strategic level to the practical everyday work done by postmen and distributors. In 2013, SEK 100 million has been allocated to a climate fund which will capture the employees’ ideas for environmental improvements, put them into action and so speed up environmental work.

Per Lundqvist worked as a postman for many years, but is now a project manager at PostNord in Östersund. Two years ago, he contacted the City of Östersund with an idea he wanted to try out in partnership with Tidningstjänst, Grön Trafik and the municipal waste management services, as well as the Swedish Transport Administration.

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“It’s really ridiculously easy. By moving the letterboxes and rubbish bins to one side of the street, we could reduce the distance travelled by 30 per cent, as well as improving the working environment and the environment for residents, who no longer have to worry about vehicles reversing through areas where children play,” says Per Lundqvist.

The trial worked well and there are now around 400 households in Östersund that are on a “Grön Rutt”.

Six other Swedish municipalities now work according to the Grön Rutt concept, and another twelve have expressed an interest. Because of Green Highway and other investments in green traffic, Östersund has become a central testing arena for PostNord, and Renault, Mercedes and Ligier have chosen to conduct tests of their electric vehicles in Östersund.

“In general, Posten is at the leading edge when it comes to using electric vehicles. In Östersund alone we have 41 fossil-fuel-free vehicles at our two offices, with electric mopeds, bicycles and cars, as well as some Club cars. That’s something worth talking about,” states Per Lundqvist.

Text: Janna Thalén

Posten Norge

72%

Electric

goods vehicles – a true bargain

reduction in emissions From heavy diesel trucks to light electric vehicles. Trøndelag’s

postal service has distinguished itself for its environmental work as part of the Norwegian postal company, Posten Norge, which aims to be Norway’s greenest transport business.

“Posten Norge has an ambitious target of reducing its CO2 emissions by 30 per cent between 2008 and 2015,” says Anders Stenseth, who is head of HR at Posten Norge in Trondheim.

The “traditional post service”, as he says, is a unit that receives a great deal of internal attention for being particularly good at working in an environmentally-conscious manner.

“We had a two-year project that we started in Trondheim in 2010, where we wanted to reduce our carbon emissions central in Trondheim. We succeeded in reducing them by 72 per cent,” he explains. A great deal of work has dealt with replacing large, thirsty vehicles with smaller ones. “The entire postal process is different now. A great deal of post is sent electronically by e-mail and einvoicing, so we have to adapt our operations to that reality,” says Anders Stenseth.

These adaptations have meant that 91 diesel vehicles became 43 instead. The remaining vehicles have been replaced by 34 ­Commarth electric jeeps. Anders Stenseth also explains that their environmental work has been the subject of great interest, with visits and invitations to meetings and seminars around Norway and ­Europe.

“We have also participated in a pilot project run by SINTEF, about using hydrogen as a fuel. We hope that, in partnership with Green Highway, we can start using biogas vehicles as soon as possible. Some of the electric vehicles have limited packing space; we need larger vehicles and the number of available electric vehicles with enough range is small.

Text: Elisabet Aagård

The maths is simple for Tom Jensen. Businesses are interested in making money. Driving electric goods vehicles can save money. Therefore, businesses should consider investing in electric vehicles. Tom Jensen is the managing director of SpareBank 1 SMN Bilplan AS, a company that is part of SpareBank 1 in Trondheim. Bilplan administers almost 3,000 corporate cars for a range of companies.

“It is still a new phenomenon, as there aren’t many electric goods vehicles on the road. So far, the challenge has been the range, but many people who drive this type of vehicle don’t drive so far, perhaps 50 or 60 km per day.

And that’s not heard in the discussions – that an electric vehicle can actually do this.”

However, apart from the fact that range makes companies hesitant, public bodies have been bad at encouraging companies to get electric vehicles.

“We have to help companies to see their environmental impact and to stimulate them to be environmentally friendly. Purchasing an electric vehicle is a big investment, but for some companies the operating costs will be low.

And there are almost no service costs for an electric car, it’s important to understand that too.”

Another thing that would get more companies to purchase electric vehicles, according to Tom Jensen, is extending Norway’s financially beneficial agreements for electric cars. A 50 per cent lower tax on corporate cars, free tolls, free parking and permission to use lanes for public transport are a few examples. According to Tom Jensen’s calculations of the differences in running costs between the Peugeot Partner e-HDI and the electric equivalent, the Peugeot Partner Electric, the fact that the electric vehicle pays no tolls or parking costs means that it is NOK 72,000 cheaper to run over a five-year period.

“The Norwegian state must extend the framework agreement that ends in 2017 until 2020-2025, as then more companies will dare to get electric vehicles.

“But it is also important to say that not everyone can drive an electric goods vehicle, though many can. We don’t work with particularly big companies, most of them have a fleet of perhaps 10 vehicles. And if you replace one vehicle with an electric vehicle you have reduced your emissions by 10 per cent. It’s pretty easy...”.

Text: Elisabet Aagård

Page 13

Tommy ANdersson

FAST, FUN &

SMART

– major investments in charging infrastructure The Swedish Energy Agency recently approved a project about charging infrastructure for electric vehicles on the Green Highway, a national arena for research and development into fast and smart charging. For stakeholders who wish to invest in charging stations, Christmas has come early this year – thanks to the project, it is possible to access financing and expertise for installation, operations and maintenance.

What do drivers think about electric cars?

How will we use electric vehicles in the future? Where should charging stations be located? There are many questions in the recently approved R&D project Laddinfrastruktur för elfordon längs Green Highway (Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles on the Green Highway) which pleases Mikael Hagman, project manager at Jämtkraft, who hopes that the project with help untie some of the knots the industry struggles with.

“Based on the current number of electric vehicles, we can conclude that the number of users will increase exponentially, meaning there will be almost 150,000 electric vehicles in Sweden in 2020. We already know that there will be a European standard with fixed cables from 2017. This project can prepare the region and the nation for the major transport revolution we’re facing,” he says.

Put simply, the project’s aim is to study the interaction between the owners of electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure. The charging stations themselves will be the arena for the study, and vice versa.

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With public financing as its foundation, there is an opportunity for business, municipal companies and other stakeholders to apply for funding for investment in charging infrastructure via the project holders. It is the perfect opportunity, according to Mikael Hagman, who describes it as an “investment window” for those who are interested in a cost-effective, customeroriented and user-friendly solution for charging electric cars and hybrid vehicles. On the question of whether it will be difficult to meet the target of eleven fast chargers and at least 82 smart charging stations during the project period, he smiles and says: “Quite the opposite; it’s first come, first served. Almost half the smart chargers have already been taken, and half of the fast chargers as well.”

As part of the project, Sundsvalls Elnät has decided to install five fast chargers in Sundsvall and the surrounding area, making it unique in Sweden – and perhaps even in Europe – in relation to the size of the city. Göran Hamlund, who is responsible for developing new products at Sundsvalls Elnät, explains that the size of the project creates long-term security.

Tommy ANDERsson Tommy ANdersson

“The conversion to green vehicles can now gather speed. We’re the right stakeholder to take this initiative, which is also perfectly compatible with the tasks we’ve been given by our owners,” he says.

For Jämtkraft and the other project holders, more electric vehicles on the roads also mean more business opportunities. New technology allows the use of a range of payment systems, and grid companies can increase their income as increasing numbers of people plug their cars in.

“Energy issues are our specialist area, and as the region is well prepared and at the leading edge of the conversion to fossilfuel-free transport, this project was a great fit,” explains Mikael Hagman. His colleague, Nils Kjellsson, also a project manager at Jämtkraft, highlights the link to Mid Sweden University and the behavioural science study that is the basis for the project.

“There is a limited number of charging infrastructure projects in Sweden, which means that there are weighty national expectations for our work. The results of the study will not only benefit our region, but make things easier for the entire nation. That it’s possible to get statistics at a user level via smart charging is a dream come true for a behavioural scientist,” he says with a laugh.

Text: Janna Thalén

Invest more Are you a regional stakeholder who is interested in ­investing in a charging station, but have questions about financing, installation, operations and maintenance? ­Contact Mikael Hagman or Göran Hamlund for more information about opportunities for help and financing: mikael.hagman@jamtkraft.se goran.hamlund@sundsvallelnat.se Mikael Hagman, Jämtkraft, and Kristina Zampoukos, Mid Sweden University.

Quick facts Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles on the Green Highway – part of the intelligent grid and sustainable transport of the future, is part of the Energy Agency’s demonstration programme for electric vehicles and is worth almost SEK 24 million, of which the state is contributing about SEK 7.4 million.

The remaining funding comes from the project holders and the companies who want to take part and invest in charging infrastructure by applying for funding via the project.

The aim of the project is to build and demonstrate charging infrastructure using fast and smart charging stations in the counties of Jämtland and Västernorrland.

In partnership with Mid Sweden University, it will study the interaction between electric vehicles, electric vehicle owners and charging infrastructure, and how they influence each other as the charging infrastructure expands.

The project includes studying and designing different business models for operations and maintenance. A total of eleven fast chargers (22 charging points) and at least 82 smart charging stations (164 charging points) will be installed during the project.

The charging infrastructure project is run by Jämtkraft AB, Jämtkraft Elnät AB and Sundsvall Elnät in partnership with Mid Sweden University. The project period is 15 ­October 2013 to 15 May 2015.

Research & progress What are the opportunities and challenges presented by the use of electric vehicles? Kristina Zampoukos, PhD in human geography at Mid Sweden University aims to discover these in a study that is the foundation of the charging infrastructure project. If the use of electric vehicles is to increase and the charging infrastructure to expand, it is important to research social attitudes to the infrastructure, as well as individual motorists’ attitudes and experiences. What do public, private and non-profit stakeholders actually think about a “green corridor” between Trondheim, Östersund and Sundsvall? What is the potential social, ecological and financial impact? How does the location of the charging station influence the motorist’s driving patterns? Kristina Zampoukos hopes that the study will contribute to identifying barriers and opportunities when it comes to achieving sustainable development that focuses on electric vehicles.

“One issue that I think is particularly interesting to research is which stakeholders can consider taking on this risk, as technology changes quickly. At the same time, there is also great potential in being one of the first test regions for the expansion of this type of infrastructure”.

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CLEAN MOTION

There’s a technological difference of about 50 years between the Zbee and Indonesia’s ageing Bajajs with their two-stroke engines.

From Jämtland to Jakarta

It was tested in tough winter conditions in Jämtland, and then its function and design were refined. Now the electrically powered Zbee is rolling onto the hot Indonesian market.

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The testing period in Östersund for the Zbee city vehicle is over, and the manufacturer, Clean ­Motion, has learned some important lessons.

“We wanted to see how functional the Zbee is for local transport in a winter setting, and the City of Östersund has used two vehicles in its operations. It’s one thing to drive on good roads in the middle of the summer and another on a cold December night. Overall, they worked well and we had a very positive response. We learned a lot and could take great steps forward,” says the company’s managing director and one of its founders, Göran Folkesson.

The Zbee was popular with many of the drivers at the City of Östersund as it is a convenient and efficient way of travelling short distances. It was found to be a little bumpy and there was poor rear visibility, but these issues have been fixed. The Zbee also worked well in winter conditions.

Technical service and support throughout the testing period was provided by a company from Östersund, Vericate, one of the companies in the Green Highway Test Arena.

“It’s been an enjoyable, interesting project where we have worked closely with Clean ­Motion to keep things moving via rapid action and solutions. We use our own Zbee every day for local travel; it’s replaced an ordinary car,” says Johan Andersson from Vericate.

“This was invaluable to us, they were almost a part of our organisation. When there were technical problems they found out what they were and fixed them, and if something broke we could just send a package with an electronic

unit and instructions and they fixed it,” explains Göran Folkesson.

After a list of about 300 refinements, production of Zbee Generation 3 is now underway. The basic principle is the same, but its appearance has been changed and adapted for large scale manufacture. Power consumption is lower and the suspension has been improved, for speed bumps, for example. This was a challenge as its small wheels needed to be able to cope with speed bumps that are designed for large cars. It is now also equipped with an electrically heated windscreen, necessary at more northern latitudes.

“We’re now building vehicles for general sale. Previously they were part of our test fleet.

We are trying to keep learning; we and the Swedish Energy Agency – as well as the City of Östersund – are cooperating on a demo project for energy-optimised three-wheeled electric vehicles, which aims to find out more about behaviour from a user perspective”.

Clean Motion receives enquiries from all over the world. Indonesia is currently an interesting market, one where local manufacturing of the Zbee has begun.

“We were able to present the Zbee to the governor of Jakarta, who immediately wanted to test ten vehicles in a recreation area”.

The news spread rapidly among the media to other countries in Asia.

“In one of the television clips they had put together a film sequence with test driving in Östersund on snow,” says Göran Folkesson with a laugh.

Text: HElena Bredberg

Gösta fries

Nothing stops

Ebusco Arne Inge Dyrdal, taxi owner, and Tom Rune Arnsen, marketing manager at Trønder Taxi.

Effective electric taxis Altogether, the drivers from Trønder Taxi and Stjørdal Taxi covered tens of thousands of kilometres during a 20-month trial of electric taxis, initiated by Green Highway. The project was evaluated recently, with positive results.

“In Norway, where electric cars are cheap, it is absolutely possible to run a commercial taxi business with electric cars, provided there are enough fast charging stations,” says Bjørn Ove Berthelsen, part project manager for Green Highway in Trondheim.

In other words, fast chargers are necessary for an electric car to be financially viable as a taxi – time is money for the taxi’s owner. It must be cheap and easy to charge and the owners need to be linked to a control centre that plans driving so the car’s range is used efficiently. For long fares, such as the 30 km long trip to Værnes Airport, the electric cars used the most power. The battery lasted longest in central Trondheim and the surrounding urban areas.

“Electric taxis work well for fixed jobs, such as school runs or corporate travel; predictable journeys where driving can be planned,” explains Bjørn Ove Berthelsen.

A more unexpected effect of the electric taxi project will perhaps be most visible in the future.

“We wanted people to choose electric cars rather than conventional cars, and the taxi drivers, knowledgeable and competent drivers that the customers trust, have marketed the electric cars. And customers have been to happy to use electric taxis.”

Now it’s time for the next phase. The knowledge generated by the project will be put into commercial use. For Trondheim, this means that two taxi owners with four electric taxis have chosen to continue – one is even testing a Tesla Model S in the business. Stjørdal Taxi will also continue with one electric taxi in commercial use. The next step for Green Highway is to disseminate the experiences of the project eastward, by starting pilot taxi projects in Östersund and Sundsvall.

“It’s been an amazing journey, contributing to making a transport sector with renewable fuels a commercial reality,” says Bjørn Ove Berthelsen. “We would never have been able to complete a project like this without brave and forward-thinking taxi companies. We’ve been able to create models for commercial electric taxi operations, provided important information to Nissan about their cars and learned how to drive electric cars more efficiently.”

The Dutch electric bus, Ebusco, recently rolled out on a European tour, travelling along the Green Highway on 11-14 May 2013.

“Thanks to the extensive charging infrastructure along the Green Highway, the trip could be completed without any disruption,” says Mats Andersson, Scandinavian representative for Ebusco.

On its trip from Stockholm, via Gävle, and then from Sundsvall to Östersund and Trondheim, the bus attracted a great deal of attention when it was shown to politicians, businesspeople and interested members of the general public. Ebusco’s electric bus has enough space for 76 passengers. With a battery capacity of 242 kWh, it has a range of around 250 km per full-charge. Globally, there are presently about 600 electric buses from Ebusco on the roads.

According to the manufacturer , the electric bus is tested and approved in all EU categories and the operating costs are less than half of those for the equivalent diesel-driven bus, including purchasing costs and a guarantee that the battery will be replaced if its capacity declines. Its quietness, convenience and lack of a gear box makes it an attractive option for towns and cities that want to invest in cleaner air and less noise pollution. The crux of the matter is necessary public procurement, where there are currently no requirements for a certain percentage of the bus fleet to be electric, something that must be changed if electric buses are to have a significant impact, according to Mats Andersson.

“They are working on this in Finland, where the City of Helsinki will procure about 100 electric buses over the next few years. A pilot project is underway in which Veolia is involved, and a bus has already been ordered from Ebusco.

Text: Elisabet Aagård

Facts The electric taxi project was initiated by Green Highway in Trondheim Municipality and was conducted from January 2012 to August 2013.

Six Nissan Leaf electric cars participated, gathering unique data about temperature, air humidity, the roads’ topography, driving speed, power consumption, etc. for Nissan in Japan. Data was processed by SINTEF Transportforskning in Trondheim, March to June 2013.

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TESLA – transforming the world Facts • In a calculated “worst case” scenario, driving the Tesla Model S costs NOK 2 per 10 km.

• A Tesla’s batteries can be replaced in 90 seconds, which raises the possibility of eventually having “battery-change stations” instead of petrol stations.

• Rumour says that Tesla is working on producing a battery that will last for 1600 km. In 2012, Tesla submitted eight patent applications for metal-air batteries.

• Tesla’s next car, the Model X, has become a big seller in Norway even before production starts. Model X is a four-wheel drive SUV with a tow bar.

Sid 18

Gösta fries

“The manual says it does 1-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. But unofficially... 3.9.” It sounds as if he barely believes it himself.

André Hansen is sales manager at Tesla in Trondheim. They sell Tesla Model S, the only model to come entirely from Tesla and which has taken the auto industry by storm. The auto industry’s apple, as someone expressed it.

The showroom in Trondheim opened its doors at the start of May 2013. There is one more in Oslo and another two are under construction in Bergen and Stavanger. Norway has one of the world’s highest densities of electric cars and is the electric vehicle industry’s test arena.

“There are more electric cars in Norway than in the Netherlands and Belgium together. The interest in the Tesla is huge, but it’s also a fantastic car,” says André Hansen enthusiastically.

The sales figures are secret, but there’s been a rush to buy it.

“It’s mad,” as one of André Hansen’s colleagues expressed it.

Three police officers who happened to be passing are standing in the showroom. With folded arms they murmur as they peer into the perfect workshop where car mechanics are polishing the already shiny cars. A load of brand new Teslas comes in through the garage door, the day’s second. They are shipped from California, where they’re manufactured. In terms of climate, it should be a big step to the damp, cold North. Will they like it here, the Teslas?

“The Tesla will probably be even happier here than in California,” says André Hansen. “Where do you put batteries when you want them to last a long time? In the fridge!”

Yes – the batteries, Tesla’s renowned batteries. That have a range of 500 km. That are charged in Tesla’s own charging stations and can be replaced in 90 seconds. That are located under the car for best road handing and which are fluid cooled and thus not so affected by heat and cold.

“It is an advanced car but in a simple way,” is how André Hansen explains its success. “It’s a car that is different, and it’s the first electric car you can use as if it were a conventional car.”

He steers the burgundy Tesla through the streets on a test drive. Quiet. And dignified. And unusually smooth for a car that’s over four metres long and more than two metres wide.

And under the bonnet or, actually, in the milk packet-sized motor, enough power to melt the heart of any sports car enthusiast.

“There’s no way back to fossil fuel vehicles now,” says ­A ndré Hansen convincingly. “The step’s been taken.”

Text: Elisabet Aagård

No one thought it would happen, but it has. An electric car is getting high scores in test after test and is not only making a mark among traditional electric cars, but doing what no one dared to dream of – competing with the coolest fossil fuelled sports cars.

Sid 19

Helene gedda

Range anxiety

– soon to be a thing of the past

Range anxiety is something that prevents many people from getting an electric car. Now SINTEF in Trondheim hopes that they are on their way to solving this by using ITS, intelligent transport systems.

This year, SINTEF, Scandinavia’s largest independent research group, conducted a pilot study of technology that could help electric car drivers with range anxiety. The study has surveyed which technologies are available and also interviewed users to identify the actual needs of drivers of electric cars.

“The interviews show that needs are different if you drive privately or for work. Professionals have a greater need to plan their routes, have a simple payment system and to be able to book charging stations to avoid queues,” says Liv Øvstedal, researcher at SINTEF. At this stage, the system that SINTEF aims to produce is called LadeSmart. It involves installing a system in the car that helps the driver to decide the best route from start to finish, taking account of the battery’s range and the location of charging stations.

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“Using LadeSmart, the car could communicate with infrastructure and charging stations and provide support for the driver. For example, LadeSmart suggests where the driver can stop and charge the car,” says Liv Øvstedal.

The system registers the outside temperature, driving patterns and events along the road; it should also be able to reserve a charging station and work as a simple payment system.

SINTEF is currently waiting for clearance from financiers to start a project with test drivers, primarily in Trondheim. The next step could be to test the product on a larger scale on the Oslo-Kongsberg route. In the end, it is hoped that the project will promote the use of electric vehicles and increase driving predictability.

Text: Elisabet Aagård

TOMMY ANDERSSON

Åre Östersund AIRPORT flies high After completing the highest level of ACA certification, Åre Östersund Airport is one of the most environmentally-friendly in Europe – but work doesn’t stop there. The target for 2020 is that the airport will be carbon neutral. we’ll make a big environmental saving,” says Marie Lewholt.

One hope for 2020 is that Åre Östersund Airport will have its own filling station for biogas, for taxis, rental cars, buses, private cars and for their own use.

Driving into Östersund to fill up with biogas is not a good solution. Åre Östersund Airport and Green Highway, where the airport is one of several partners, such as Ostersund, have met and discussed the issue, but there’s a long way to go.

Another step in this environmental work comprises the charging points for electric cars that are placed by the entrance; in “the best place” as Marie Lewholt says. They were built in partnership with Green Highway and Jämtkraft. There is also a fruitful partnership with Værnes Airport in Trondheim.

“Because Værnes is also part of Green Highway we’ve visited each other and swapped experiences.

They have worked a lot with taxis, and that has made us wonder about how we can work with our taxi companies here.”

And Marie Lewholt promises that 2020 isn’t just make-believe.

“It’s a target, not a vision.”

Text: Elisabet Aagård

Midlanda became Sundsvall Timrå Airport On 17 June 2013, the municipalities of Sundsvall and Timrå took over operations at Midlanda Airport, which is now known as Sundsvall Timrå Airport. It has the same staff as previously, but is now run as a municipal company.

One of the primary aims is to continue with the airport’s ambitious environmental work. During its time as Midlanda there was an extensive review of power consumption, reducing the airport’s electricity consumption by 32 per cent in 2012. Another project

is to replace the aviation fuel that is used for fire safety exercises with the ethanol-based “Sekundol”, so reducing contamination of water, soil and air.

Sundsvall Timrå Airport is also conducting discussions with Green Highway about the potential for establishing charging stations for electric vehicles at the airport, using electric taxis or coaches for flight transfers and using biogas as a fuel for the heavy vehicles at the airport.

Text: Elisabet Aagård

SDL

It may sound like a high aim, an airport that is carbon neutral. But the carbon dioxide that counts is that which Swedavia can control, from its own emissions that are linked to operations at the airport.

“It’s a tough target, but it’s doable,” says Marie Lewholt, who is the environmental advisor at Åre Östersund Airport.

The airport has adopted a comprehensive approach to its environmental work. At the moment they are conducting an energy project that focuses on power savings, in which the ventilation and lighting are being examined. Marie Lewholt describes smarter solutions where energy use is governed by needs: ventilation when ventilation is needed; lighting when lighting is needed – and investments in the latest technology in LED lighting and for controlling engine heaters.

“We have surveyed the action we can take, and the plan is to reduce energy consumption by two per cent per year in the future.”

The 2020 target has been centrally established by Swedavia. To achieve it, Swedavia’s vehicles need to be replaced and adapted to running on renewable fuels.

This primarily affects the heavy vehicles owned by Swedavia, such as snow ploughs, sweepers and blowers that keep the landing strip free from ice and snow.

“These vehicles drive many kilometres every day in snowy weather. If we replace them with biogas vehicles

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How it works

Just for you – a guide to the world of green vehicles

Learn more about new technology, vehicle types and alternative fuels.

Vehicles Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) A vehicle with two power sources: one combustion engine and one electric motor. The battery is charged by the combustion engine and when the car brakes, instead of connecting it to an electrical socket. Examples include the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid.

Plug-in hybrid electrical vehicle (PHEV) Similar to a hybrid electric vehicle, but the batteries are larger and it can also be charged using an electrical socket.

It can be driven further on one charge than a hybrid electric vehicle. Examples include the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera.

Battery electrical vehicle (BEV or EV) A battery-driven vehicle that is only powered by an electric motor and charges via the electric grid through a socket.

Examples include the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi iMiEV and Renault Kangoo.

Gas vehicle A vehicle that uses gas fuel for propulsion. A gas vehicle can be powered by two types of fuel, gas and petrol, and is also called vehicle bi-fuel. The fuels are stored in separate tanks and the engine uses one fuel at a time. It often switches between the fuels automatically.

Flexifuel vehicle (FFV) A vehicle that is powered by ethanol. It can also be powered by petrol or a combination of the two. An ethanol vehicle has one tank and the engine can adapt to the fuel mix.

Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)

“We’re electrifying all vehicle classes.”

Martin Winterkorn, Head of the Volkswagen Group on achieving the aim of being world-leading in electric vehicles by 2018. Source: DN Motor.

Sid 22

A vehicle that is powered by fuel cells that send electric current to an electric motor. Can be refuelled with hydrogen and the exhaust is thus water vapour.

For an overview of the fossil-fuel-free vehicles on the market, please refer to the Buyers’ Guide for Electric and Plug-in ­Hybrid Cars and the CNG Vehicles Guide – read more on page 9.

Sources: Bil Sweden, Gasbilen.se

MATTIAS gOLDMANN

fuel CHECK VEHICLE GAS A gas fuel that can consist of biogas, natural gas or a combination of the two.

The gas is mainly methane and is compressed to a high pressure, about 200 bar, before it can be used to fuel vehicles adapted for gas.

Biogas A renewable fuel that is manufactured through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials, such as food waste or sewage sludge. Before being used as vehicle gas, the carbon dioxide is removed from the biogas so that the level of methane increases; the upgraded biogas is called biomethane. Compressed biogas is abbreviated to CBG. To reduce its volume, biogas can also be condensed to make a liquid, LBG (liquefied biogas).

NATURAL GAS Although natural gas is a fossil fuel that is extracted from the Earth’s crust, it has less environmental impact than diesel and petrol. When compressed it is called compressed natural gas. Natural gas can also be condensed to make a liquid, LNG (liquefied natural gas).

Ethanol An alcohol that is used as a fuel. Ethanol can be biologically produced by fermenting sugar or starchy plants such as maize, sugar cane and cereals. E85 is a fuel mixture with 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. More petrol is added to the mixture in the winter to make the vehicle easier to start.

Hydrogen Used for fuel cells or combustion engines and can be produced from natural gas, biomass or the electrolysis of water.

Biodiesel A renewable fuel produced from vegetable or animal oils, with raw ingredients such as rapeseed, soya, maize, palms, tallow or lard. A collective name for all biodiesels is FAME (fatty acid methyl esters). Can be used as a fuel in customised diesel engines or mixed with fossil diesel.

Sources: Nationalencyklopedin, Bil Sweden

H2

Mattias Goldmann, Gröna Bilister, checks out green news and trends at the Frankfurt Motor Show on Green Highway’s behalf.

FAQ

Everything you want to know but haven’t dared to ask. We have gathered some of the most common questions about electric-, gas and ethanol vehicles.

Will there be enough electricity if there are lots of electric cars?

Sources: Miljöfordon.se, ElbilSverige, Laddaelbilen.se, Vattenfall, Biogas.se, City of Östersund

If all the drivers in Sweden were to drive electric cars (around 4.3 million cars), only about 10 TWh would be needed, which is equivalent to 7 per cent of Sweden’s total power consumption.

Are electric cars emission-free?

An electric car has no exhaust pipe and emits no local emissions. However, electricity can be a renewable fuel or a fossil fuel depending on how it is produced. In the Nordic countries the mix of electricity results in low emissions, around 12 g CO2/km. One factor in an electric vehicle actually being green is that it is charged with electricity from a certified, renewable origin, such as solar, wind or hydropower.

Can electric cars be driven in the winter?

All batteries lose capacity when they are cold, but this is regained when it gets warmer. The need for heat in the car and the battery’s reduced capacity can mean that the car’s range decreases in the winter. The heating system in electric cars can consist of an electric radiator that takes power straight from the battery, which reduces the car’s range, or from a fuel-driven extra heater that is run on ethanol, petrol or diesel. It is also beneficial to preheat the car using an interior heater.

How far can I drive on one charge?

The electric cars that are currently on the market have a range of 100–150 km, and plug-in hybrids are like fueldriven cars. This can be compared to a normal Swedish car that is driven an average of around 40 km per day. Range is affected by the size of the battery, driving style and the use of the car’s air conditioning and heating system.

What does driving an electric car cost?

An electric car uses around 2 kWh per 10 km, which is a cost of about SEK 2-3 per 10 km.

The latest medicine from GB-Labs – a cure for range anxiety. Read more at www.gronabilister.se.

Are there risks involved in charging an electric car?

No, charging a series-manufactured electric car is very safe and no more risky than connecting any other electrical equipment to the power grid.

How do you refill gas?

Most gas cars have two tanks. Vehicle gas is sold at special gas stations, often close to where it is produced. When you fill up with gas, the nozzle is different to that of a nozzle for liquid fuels such as petrol and diesel. The gas nozzle is connected to the car’s gas nipple and sealed by turning it.

There are different payment methods at gas stations; the most common is using credit/debit cards.

What happens if the gas runs out?

It is possible to drive 200 – 400 km on one tank of gas, depending on the model of the car and driving style. If the gas runs out, cars also have a petrol tank that allows a further 200–700 km of driving.

Can the gas tank explode?

If there is a leak , the risk of fire and explosion is believed to be lower than that for conventional cars. Methane gas is toxin-free and lighter than air, and has a higher ignition temperature (540°C) than petrol, diesel and ethanol. The system is sealed and the tanks have safety valves.

What happens if I am in a collision with a gas vehicle?

Gas vehicles fulfil the same crash standards as ordinary cars. The gas tanks are protected and designed to withstand collisions.

How do you refill ethanol?

Ethanol is sold as E85 at ordinary petrol stations. E85 is refilled in exactly the same way as petrol and diesel. The only difference is that the handle can’t be locked and released when filling the car. The pumps, pump handles, signs and/ or hoses for E85 are blue.

Facts ABOUT CHARGING Slow charging An electric car is normally charged overnight at home, or at work. This can be done via a normal earthed socket (230 V, 10/16A). One option is to equip your property with a domestic variety of smart charging to get a quality assured charging point at home. Charging takes 6-8 hours depending on how empty the battery is, the size of the battery, the type of car and, in particular, the power supply you are using.

Smart charging Charging can also be done during longer stops at places the driver is visiting, such as the supermarket. Freestanding charging stations are used, along with the cable that came with the car or is attached to the station. Charging stations can be connected to more advanced systems with payment solutions and different current strengths. Charging is faster because of the strength of the power supply, normally 16A. Fast charging At fast charging stations it is possible to extend the car’s range and charge up to 80 per cent in 20 minutes. The power output is 20 or 50 kW. Fast charging means that the vehicle and charging station need to communicate to optimise charging and that a special charging port is used.

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TOMMY ANDERSSON

Where Green solutions are

top of mind With more than 33 per cent green vehicles in its fleet, Taxi Östersund is a transport business that has made a clear stand in a conservative industry. Choosing biogas cars, coordinating driving and training its drivers are all ways of reducing road traffic’s harmful impact on the environment.

At the head office on the island of Frösön, Östersund, it’s pretty quiet. Many people are still on holiday and so fewer people are using taxis. Managing director Per-Åke Pettersson shows us around the premises and says that a lot has happened in the ten years since he took up his post, just before Östersund’s garrison closed down.

“It was tough, but with wise shareholders supporting me I was given the opportunity to spend instead of save when the labour market collapsed. A new share issue allowed us to modernise our technology and to move to better premises,” says Per-Åke Pettersson.

It was also decided that the company would gradually work on boosting its environmental credentials, an approach that consolidated over the years. They now offer a reduced monthly fee for drivers who have chosen green vehicles, as a way of encouraging them. Another way is offering all drivers training in fuel efficient driving – Safe Green Taxi. The traffic management system is also being gradually developed to ensure the cars are used effectively and driven with as few ”empty kilometres” as possible.

However, Per-Åke Pettersson states that determination is required to conduct active environmental work in the transport sector. Transport companies are positive and not opposed to green vehicles in principle, but more expensive service and maintenance affect their finances.

Similarly, so far it has been difficult to find suitable biogas vehicles with a loading capacity suitable for professional use, or four-wheel-drive biogas vehicles.

“A lot of my job deals with trying to analyse how we can overcome the difficulties and produce powerful enough incentives for choosing green vehicles. And to ensure that we are cost neutral, despite small margins,” explains PerÅke Pettersson.

Taxi Östersund recently won a procurement for municipal mobility services, and the drivers’ businesses have purchased twelve brand new Mercedes biogas buses.

“The procurement was designed with a requirement for a gradual increase to at least 80 per cent green vehicles during the period of the agreement, but it’s not entirely uncomplicated. There is a long wait for vehicle gas buses to be delivered and the manufacturers are not always interested in making any customisations in such small series.”

More and more people, privately or professionally, or in procurements, are asking for green cars, which bolsters Taxi Östersund’s decision to work with distinct environmental branding. However, at the top of the wishlist is more refuelling stations for biogas.

“Preferably one in each direction, to maintain economy and environmental gains in the driving,” says Per-Åke Pettersson, who is considering a corporate bicycle as his contribution to a greener future.

Text: Janna Thalén

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EV Power – a green business He is an entrepreneur who saw potential in the growing popularity of the electric car. Through his company, EV Power, Gøran Vollan is contributing to simpler, greener roads in Norway.

Entrepreneur Gøran Vollan is the only employee of the EV Power company, which constructs and runs the fast charging stations around the Trøndelag region. The company is based in Steinkjer, around 120 km north of Trondheim. This might not be the obvious place to establish a brand new company in a brand new industry – in fact, many people would think it was a brave thing to do. As does its founder.

“No, it wasn’t at all an obvious thing to do. Not at all,” admits Gøran Vollan.

When NTE, Nord-Trøndelag Elektrisitetsverk, was looking for someone to develop the fast charging infrastructure in the area, Gøran Vollan jumped at the chance and started EV Power.

As an entrepreneur in a green industry he has received a great deal of backup. Gøran Vollan says that there are primarily two things that made it possible to start EV Power. First, NTE has taken its social responsibility and been willing to invest in green business and, secondly, EV Power has received a state grant from Transnova, which funds activities that promote green transport.

“There is a great deal of interest in EV Power, as well as goodwill wherever we go.

Green business is in touch with the spirit of

the times. It’s environmentally correct and politically correct to think sustainably. Our shared interests have created a good climate for completing the project.”

Initially, one of the most important relationships, apart from that with NTE (where Gøran Vollan has a number of colleagues), was with Green Highway, which was interested in expanding the network of fast charging stations in the area.

EV Power’s first fast charging station started operating in January 2012; there are now nine stations, the most recent of which opened in Orkanger. Another charging station is planned in Storlien, in collaboration ­between Jämtkraft, NTE, Green Highway and EV Power.

“It’s the entrepreneur in me that’s the main motivation, but being able to use this to create something that is environmentally sustainable is very satisfying. And if we’re going to take the climate crisis seriously, if we’re going to have a chance, then it’s the sum total of local sustainable initiatives that will solve it. Not the politicians. They can take decisions, but not do the job for us,” concludes Gøran Vollan.

Text: Elisabet Aagård

Counting on an electric car

Km/h kWh Page 26

Low running costs, but expensive to buy. What does it actually cost to own an electric car?

The electric car calculator is a web service that helps people who are interested in acquiring an electric car to quickly and easily calculate the costs of owning one, and compare it to owning a conventional car. The idea is to provide a general comparison between different types of electric cars and a Volvo V40 D3, which is used here as a reference. Enter your annual mileage and it will return a cost per 10 km, based on three years of ownership. Vehicle taxes are not included in the calculation because all the vehicles in the calculation are classed as green cars. However, the resale value of electric cars is difficult to calculate because there are not yet enough of them on the second-hand market.

The service is primarily aimed at private individuals and will be regularly upgraded, such as when new vehicles come onto the market. The electric car calculator was produced by Ecoast in partnership with Green Highway and is found at www.miljöfordonskalkylator.se (in Swedish).

Gösta fries

FaCTS EW Power is a subsidiary of NTE, Nord-Trøndelag Elektrisitetsverk. The company, apart from developing and operating fast chargers, has created a subscription system where the user pays one amount and receives free access to Tröndelag’s nine fast chargers. The subscriber receives a patented keycard that opens the station for charging, but payment is also possible via a smart phone.

At present EV Power has around 250 subscribers, but the number is growing. The idea is that income from subscribers will pay for establishing more fast chargers and so increase mobility for owners of electric cars. A fast charging station costs from NOK 600,000 and upwards. EV Power is counting on 2,000 subscribers to run 20 charging stations.

Gøran Vollan, CEO EV Power Page 27

Andreas Gyllen hammar ANNA WILHELMSSON

Shifting power in the world of sustainability

Andreas Gyllenhammar Chief Sustainability Officer, Sweco

The global arena has been influential and a safe haven for sustainable development. It was there that the concept was formulated and gained support via a number of UN processes at the end of the 1980s (the Brundtland Report, that many know of but few have read, is still frequently referred to).

However, at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, in the summer of 2012, it was apparent how “the battle of the Earth” will be decided.

When negotiations reach a stalemate and nation states disappoint, there are others who step forward.

It is becoming clear why it is so difficult to reach agreement in international negotiations. Around the table and in complex UN processes, politicians and officials gather from countries that currently have to balance a multitude of challenges on the home front. The long-term perspective on sustainable development risks losing ground in relation to economies in crisis and rising unemployment. The result can’t be anything other than disappointment and watered-down documents, which turned out to be the case at the climate summits in Copenhagen in 2009 and now most recently in Rio.

The analysis could stop here, implying that we have reached the end of the road. But this is not the case. What has happened is a power shift in two dimensions. Firstly, when countries lose speed it is the cities and regions that step forward. They have enough influence to be able to create synergies, partnerships and take action in sustainable development. Cities such as Vancouver, Malmö, San Francisco and Bogota have acted rapidly and successfully, making them excellent role models for others who want to develop. Regions create cooperation in transport conversions, with Green Highway as one of the progressive forces.

Secondly, trade and industry have taken a stand and shown that there are alternatives to negotiations as a potential way forward.

Working on sustainable development provides increasingly good business value. The US media giant, Disney, chose not to wait for an American climate tax – it introduced its own and thus achieved significant reductions in emissions.

There is no lack of success in sustainable development, as long as we look for it in the right places. Now it’s time to work on a larger scale and at a higher speed.

DO YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO A FOSSIL-FREE FUTURE? If your company would like to converts its vehicles to run on renewable energy, or to contribute to reducing the use of fossil fuels in another way, please get in touch with us at Green Highway. It is possible to use Green Highway’s branding and be seen on Green Highway’s website, in news­letters, etc. Please contact us: www.greenhighway.nu

Östersund – Anne Sörensson +46(0)70 600 51 31, Tomas Arvidsson +46(0)70 575 58 00 Trondheim – Björn-Ove Berthelsen +47 917 602 02, Kjell Inge Stellander +47 916 728 82 Sundsvall – Lidia Suokko +46(0)73 271 19 47, Johan Klockar Öhrnell +46(0)70 257 16 82