Purpose: Electrifying freight deliveries is viewed as a vital step in reducing the sector's environmental impact. However, the logistics systems are not uniform and different systems pose different challenges, thus likely to use different electrification strategies. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to describe how different logistic systems relate to different electrification challenges, and what type of electrification strategy is suitable for which logistics systems.

Research Approach: The study uses a descriptive approach to create a framework with empirical data from two ongoing research projects through interviews, workshops, and seminars. Suitable electrification strategies for different logistics systems are determined. 

Findings and Originality: The proposed framework illustrates how different transport segments can be described and how the segments can be combined with charging strategies. Furthermore, by combining the segments and charging strategies, it is possible to identify suitable electrification strategies in different types of systems. 

Research Impact: This study takes a holistic view of logistics systems and electrification, to shed light on enablers and barriers for electrification of trucks in different types of logistics contexts. 

Practical Impact: The framework can build an understanding of aspects that must be considered in different systems and situations. It will help identify transport segments which are more or less suitable for electrification depending on how developed the public charging infrastructure is. 

Purpose: Electrification of freight trucks challenges logistics systems in many ways, for example the trucks have limited range, reduced payload, and charging needs to be included in the system. Current actors must adjust to new prerequisites while new actors enter the system, such as energy suppliers. Hence, there is a need to build an understanding of electrified logistics systems by focus on how central actors are connected to it. The purpose of the paper is to describe electrified logistics systems through an actor perspective.

Research Approach: The paper targets how an electrified logistics system can be described and how actors are connected to the system. Empirical data is collected through interviews and workshops with representatives from actors who are actively working with electrification of freight transports.  

Findings and Originality: The findings showed that both traditional actors, such as logistics companies and transport buyers, and new actors, such as energy suppliers and charge point operators, are important in electrified logistics systems. Through conceptualisation of logistics systems and how actors are connected the system, the findings present a five-layer model.

Research Impact: The paper provides a comprehensive identification of actors involved in electrification of freight transport, as well as, highlighting actors that are more central in the transition, something missing in the current literature.  

Practical Impact: Electrification forces logistics practitioners to alter their view of the logistic system and its actors. This paper provides a holistic view of the complex logistics systems the actors are a part of and can thereby help practitioners adjust to new prerequisites.

Purpose: A transition to electric freight will challenge current systems and business models, especially for logistics service providers (LSP). Therefore, the purpose is to increase the understanding of critical factors in business models for LSPs when adopting to electrified freight.

Design/methodology/approach: A structured interview study has been carried out, targeting LSPs about their experience and expectation on electrification. The responses were analysed through a business model lens.

Findings: Twelve factors deemed as critical were identified, covering the different components of a business model. From the analysis of critical factors, four hypotheses were developed. The hypotheses concern areas that can guide designs of future business models.  

Research implications: This study identifies challenges highlighted by LSPs as relevant and combine these in critical factors to be considered when designing business model for electrified freight.

Practical implications: For many companies, business models are vital to their existence, thus the results can shed light on factors of high relevance for companies in a transport-related context.

Social implications: Large-scale adoption of electric trucks has the potential to reduce the climate impact, but it is of essence to develop sound business plans, which this study contributes to.

Original/value: This paper takes a business model approach, and builds on in-depth primary data from LSP’s experiences with regional electrified freight – a novel area in need of development. 

This review is part of the Swedish research project Regional Electrified Logistics (REEL) and the work package 1.2: Business models and financing models.

Electrification of the freight sector is a fast-developing area and viewed as an important step in reducing the sector's climate impact. However, there are several limiting factors that hinder large-scale transition. The REEL project, which focuses on regional electric deliveries, strives to build knowledge together with the industry and academia to overcome barriers surrounding the area. REEL is a national initiative and is led by CLOSER and is financed by the program strategic vehicle research and innovation (FFI).

Well-thought-out business models and financing models are vital for any organization to secure long-term viability. Business models can be described as a plan for how organizations make business and with who, and include the value offered to the customers, who the partners are, and the cost structure. In the case of electrification of freight transport, business models have an important role since it addresses many of the uncertainties associated with the transition. For example, understanding the cost structure with higher investment costs, what type of value can be offered to the customers, and what role will new actors take in the transport system.

This review consists of three separate parts:

• Review of research projects
• Review of academic publications
• Challenges and trends from the perspective of the industry

The review addresses research projects that are similar to REEL, to investigate their focus and results. The review of academic publications is a structured literature review that aims to describe how business models have been considered for electrification of freight transport. The last section, challenges and trends from the perspective of the industry, addresses aspects that representatives from partner companies within REEL have highlighted.

Purpose: In logistics systems, the implementation of heavy-duty battery electric vehicles (HBEVs) challenges actors in the transport system, and there is a need for actors to coordinate in various ways. The purpose is to explore how coordination between LSPs and relevant actors in electrified logistics systems can facilitate the adoption of HBEVs.

Design/methodology/approach: The study takes a qualitative approach and relies on four interviews with three LSPs as the empirical basis. Theoretically, coordination mechanisms provide a starting-point for the analysis.  

Findings: The findings highlight coordination mechanisms at play in the on-going electrification of logistics systems, as well as the potential use of coordination mechanisms not yet utilised.

Research limitations/implications: The study is performed in a Swedish setting and explore relevant actors and the connections between actors through a coordination lens, thus bridging a gap in the literature.

Practical implications: The results can help actors, such as logistics companies and transport buying companies, to understand how, and with whom, to coordinate to implement long-haul HBEVs.

Social implications: HBEVs are expected to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases and gives possibility to charge with renewable sources, hence the need to support the implementation.

Original/value: While much research into electrification focuses on quantitative studies with a mathematical approach, this paper takes a much-needed actor perspective and highlights how actors can coordinate to carry out a successful transition to fossil free transportation. 

Due to the pandemic, universities were challenged to switch into distance mode, causing teachers to make pedagogical adjustments. One adjustment was the use of pre-recorded videos applied as complement in the education. However, a pedagogical miss-match arises, as course designs often are based on face-to-face (F2F) teaching, while videos are designed for self-education. Consequently, there is a need to understand what challenges, but also what opportunities appear as videos are integrated into course design. The purpose of this paper is hence to describe challenges and opportunities when integrating pre-recorded videos in course design in traditional campus teaching. An interview study with teachers and a survey to capture the student perspective have been carried out. The results of the s perspective highlight opportunities and challenges when it comes to the technical and content as designing videos as well as design of the lectures concerned. Learned from the students´ opinion videos need to be purposeful designed, and the information included need to be well thought through. When videos are used, the design of lectures becomes more important since the F2F interactions are reduced. This challenge teachers in their design of activities and for students to adequately prepare for F2F activities. At the same time, with videos available, students can pause and rewind if needed, and the potential to learn more basic facts from the videos. If F2F activities are purposefully designed, there is the potential for students to deepen their understanding, achieve greater learning outcomes and to increase progression. Videos also increase flexibility for students by possibility to shape their own learning opportunity and how it suits them and their everyday life. The findings from the study are related to several of the CDIO standards, mainly Standard 8, 6, and 10 by Active Learning, Engineering Workspaces, and Enhancement of Faculty Teaching Competence.

Purpose:Electrification of freight transports is an area that is under fast development, and there is a need to capture the current status of the research. The purpose is to create an overview of the area of electrified freight transport and describe how logistical aspects have been taken into consideration in the literature

Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review has been carried out to create the overview and laying the foundation for identification of research gaps. 

Findings: The results suggest that there has been a lack of focus on qualitative methods, on actors in general, and inclusion of logistical aspects when studying electrification of freight. 

Research limitations/implications: Based on the overview of the area, a future research agenda has been proposed that highlight different gaps in the current literature. 

Practical implications: Within the area of electrification of freight transports, the industry and research are evolving simultaneously, and the proposed research agenda can thereby function as a guide for both.

Social implications: Electrification is important in reducing the sector’s negative impact on the environment.

Original/value: This paper is one of the first to provide an overview of electrification of freight transport with the perspective on the effects on logistics systems.

I takt med urbaniseringstrenden har fokus alltmer hamn-at på de logistiska utmaningarna i staden. För trendernapekar på fler transporter och snabbare transporter, vilketnästan oundvikligen medför att lastbilar som kör i stadeninte utnyttjar sin fulla lastningskapacitet. Därför är detviktigt att ta fasta på hur man med smartare logistikupp-lägg kan minska exempelvis trängsel och miljöpåverkan,samtidigt som mottagarna av gods erhåller en hög gradav leveransservice.

Urban Consolidation Centre (UCC) is a city logistics initiative that has the potential to increase the efficiency of urban freight delivery systems while reducing negative environmental and social effects caused by freight vehicles. One important issue that have hindered longevity of this initiative is its viability, both the financial viability and acceptance from affected stakeholders (also called UCC customers). The UCC customers in focus in this thesis are receivers of goods and municipalities. To satisfy both types of stakeholders, their requests and, in particular, the benefits they can gain from using UCCs need to be studied. The types of benefits to be given priority differ between the stakeholders, where municipalities strive towards more societal benefits, and the main goals of receivers are an increase in efficiency and financial sustainability. In response, the purpose of this thesis is to deepen the understanding of benefits for customers of UCCs, with a particular focus on customer needs and benefits that UCCs can provide.

This thesis consists of five appended papers, each of which uses a different methodology. The methodologies applied in the papers include a multiple interview study of five UCCs, a surveybased interview study of retail stores, and a case study of an operating UCC. Regarding customer needs, this thesis takes the customer perspective, in order to identify needs that UCCs can meet. The results presented in this thesis also highlight the importance for UCCs to give priority to meeting customer needs that stem from some type of problem. Regarding benefits that UCCs can provide, the thesis suggests how different types of benefits can be distinguished. This can give guidance to UCC operators regarding which benefits should be given priority in communication with UCC customers. However, the results highlight that it is also important to understand the situation of the customer to be able to communicate the most relevant benefits that UCCs can provide. Furthermore, the results illustrate different improvement areas that can affect the benefits for UCC customers. These identified areas are: improved understanding by both UCCs and its customers of each other’s operation, communication, developing a more holistic view for UCC customers, and developing new UCC services to match customer needs.

The results provide a foundation for customer needs that UCCs can meet, and the benefits that UCCs can provide. This foundation can be important for UCC customers to gain a better understanding of what a UCC is and how it can affect their operation, something that this thesis contributes towards. It can also assist initiators of UCCs to determine which customer needs they should focus on. Lastly, the results and contribution also address the potential role of municipalities, and it is argued that their role should change from a more supportive role to that of a paying UCC customer. All of these aspects can increase the probability that a UCC, when established becomes viable.

Denna rapport sammanfattar några av de viktigaste lärdomarna och underbyggande analyserna från forskningsprojektet ”Ekonomiskt bärkraftiga stadsterminaler som möjliggörare för energieffektivare stadsdistribution” (Dnr 2017-003184). Projektet har finansierats av Energimyndigheten och pågått från 1 juli 2017 till 31 augusti 2020.

Projektets övergripande syfte har varit att stödja en utvecklad användning av stadsterminaler genom att fokusera hur lönsamheten kan stärkas genom olika tjänsteerbjudanden. Utifrån detta syfte formades sex detaljerade mål:

1. Identifiera Kunder/kundgrupper som är mest centrala i avseendet att generera intäkter till stadsterminalen.
2. Ge förslag på olika tjänster som stadsterminalen kan erbjuda för att stärka sin ekonomiska bärkraftighet
3. Klargöra de ekonomiska potentialerna i olika tjänster
4. Ta fram verktyg och modeller som kan stödja utvecklandet av nya intäktsgenererande tjänster.
5. Visa på tjänsternas koppling till valet av transportlösning och drivmedelsval
6. Samt visa på vilken potential för energieffektivisering som stadsterminaler kan medföra.

Inom ramen för projektet har vi bland annat visat på stora potentialer att öka både den ekonomiska bärkraftigheten och energieffektiviserings-potentialen för stadsterminaler. Detta genom att bland annat identifiera en rad tjänster som en stadsterminal kan erbjuda, men även potentiella kunder.

Purpose Urban consolidation centre (UCC) is a popular initiative targeting the challenge of negative environmental and social impacts from freight transports in cities. Despite this, UCC often fails in practice, which indicates a knowledge gap. Furthermore, research within the field can be described as fragmented, transdisciplinary and fast growing. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the field by describing dominant categories and themes within the area, identify gaps in order to propose a future research agenda, and provide insights into the needs of practitioners. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) targeting journal articles based on UCCs has been constructed with a supplementary snowball approach. A content analysis was performed to categorise themes in the research on UCCs and to identify research gaps, both within and outside the categories identified. Findings Despite substantial research on UCC, very little research ends up in academic journals. In all, 56 articles address UCC. The most common topics were the role of stakeholders, design of distribution structures and transport resources, environmental and social consideration, and economic considerations. Much focus is directed towards finding optimal solutions and designs for potential initiatives with very little, if any, consideration to financial viability or the management of the UCC initiative. Research limitations/implications This research points out existing gaps in the literature and proposes a future research agenda with UCCs as the focus. For example, although environmental and social arguments are often applied to justify the implementation of UCCs, few studies measure or evaluate their impact. Another important research gap is the economical consideration, both how to generate revenue and how to consider economies of scale. Practical implications The practical contribution of most studies is directed towards municipalities. Few findings are presented in a way to support companies. Additionally, by bridging the gaps related to how stakeholders can collaborate and describe what is happening in a UCC, practitioners can use such information as guidelines. Originality/value The results provide a research agenda for the fragmented research targeting UCCs, supporting the viability of future initiatives.

Urban Consolidation Centres (UCCs) are often conceived as an enabler to alleviate negative effects associated with distribution of goods in cities, such as traffic congestion and hazardous emissions. UCCs not only have the potential to reduce these effects but also provide alternative distribution solutions by introducing new transhipment points. Despite their potential, UCCs often fail to be self-supporting and are often dependent on subsides, which is not considered to be sustainable in the long run. In response, this thesis takes its point of departure in the two business models elements value propositions and target customers. A business model is often viewed as an enabler to generate revenue and UCCs have the potential to generate revenue by offering services to their customers, and the customers pay for the services. To understand how customers can benefit from UCCs and provide arguments why they should use these, it is important to understand the relationship between customers’ needs and the services UCCs can provide. The purpose of this thesis is to identify and describe the potential relationship between needs of UCC customers and UCC services.

The research in the thesis is both explorative and descriptive, where a first step is to identify customer needs, UCC services, and value propositions. The descriptive part is to describe them and it is also the foundation for understanding the relationship between customer needs and UCC services. Through the analysis and discussion, multiple customer needs are identified and described for seven customer groups and the UCC operator; all of which could be considered customers of UCCs. The thesis also adds to the UCC literature with three new identified UCC services: e-commerce with used products, advertisement, and registration in computer system. The outcome of the analysis also provides illustrations of how customer needs can be matched with UCC services. For the most studied customer group, receiver of goods, a total of 29 different matches were identified, which illustrates the possibilities but also the complexity of the relationships. To understand the relationship, three different types of gaps were also identified that have implications for future research.

The main contributions to research and the UCC literature in particular are enlargement of the scope of customers and the illustration of the relationships between customer needs and UCC services. The illustrations include contributions such as identifying, mapping and describing the customer needs, UCC services, and value propositions. An important first step is to understand how customer needs and UCC services can be linked, and this thesis provides examples of how this can be achieved. Viewing every stakeholder as a potential customer opens up the opportunity to fulfil their needs and the potential to generate revenue, which in turn could close the gap in the problem of non-self-supporting UCCs. Furthermore, with self-supporting UCCs, the number of freight vehicles can be reduced and this may lead to more attractive cities with less traffic congestion and lower emissions.

Abstract Although urban consolidation centres (UCC) worldwide have improved urban freight distribution and reduced externalities, other UCC initiatives have not materialised due to problems such as for example, business model limitations. All the same, researchers have rarely described business model components relevant to city logistics. In response, the purpose of this article is to analyse critical factors for viable business models of city logistics initiatives involving UCCs. Following an extensive literature review and multiple-case study of five initiatives with UCCs, we identified seven critical factors of viable city logistics business models: the ability to scale up and down the UCC solution; an ability to continuously develop and adapt to a dynamic environment; the important entrepreneurial role of the initiator as well; the acknowledgment of society; ability to innovate new services; logistics and supply chain management competence; and the ability to take full advantage of advanced IT. All seven factors describe continuously redeveloped business models seeking to seize new and unexpected opportunities, yet also indicate that city logistics systems require local authorities and municipalities to act as initiators, enablers, and customers. The models also underscore differences between purely commercial and purely municipal city logistics initiatives.

Purpose - Urban consolidation centres (UCCs) are often conceived to improve services in retail stores and potentially reduce costs. However, few studies have examined how retail stores perceive the services a UCC could provide. The purpose of this paper is to explore retail stores potential demands for different services that a UCC could provide in order to foster the development and implementation of UCC solutions aimed towards more economically feasible business models. Design/methodology/approach - Structured interviews were conducted with employees at 72 retail stores. Qualitative, as well as quantitative analyses, were conducted to identify the potential demands of the retail stores. Findings - The authors have provided arguments why retail stores might be interested in UCC services, and thereby potentially pay for them. Improved customer service to stores customers might not be a valid argument. The authors point to the cost aspect: stores expend resources that a UCC could provide in a more cost-efficient manner. Research limitations/implications - The findings contradict previous studies to some extent, as it indicates that a UCC may actually not enhance customer service in retail stores. Instead, the findings point to the importance of considering the potential advantages according to economies of scale that are facilitated by UCC services. Practical implications - Taking the perspective of the stores is important in order to identify arguments for why they should pay for the services provided by a UCC. Social implications - Financially viable UCC solutions are needed in order for the initiatives to be maintained and thereby provide a long-term decrease in the environmental and social footprints caused by urban freight. Originality/value - This study answers the call for research addressing retailers perspective in urban logistics, as it takes a demand-driven perspective of the development of UCC services. Furthermore, by highlighting services requested by retail stores, it can guide the financing of UCC initiatives, an aspect that has been lacking.