Strategy for decarbonization of the heavy duty vehicle fleet for the maintenance of the national highway system

The "National Roads Territorial Unit VI" (GEVI) operates about 290 km of national roads with more than 270 ha of grass-lands, 280 ha of surface plantings and 28 km of tunnels. For maintenance, the GEVI operates a predominantly diesel-powered fleet of 40 trucks and about 70 smaller vehicles. 

The Federal Roads Administration (ASTRA) as the superordinate organization has defined the future requirements regarding the sustainability of the vehicle fleet of the GEVI: vehicles with a weight smaller than 3.5 t have to be replaced with CO2-neutral driving systems by 2025, whereas vehicles with a weight greater than 3.5 t by 2030.

Main targets

In the first phase of the project, GEVI/ASTRA and OST will develop a basic concept for the conversion of the existing fleet with CO2-neutral vehicles. The concept of this transition is planned in accordance with the requirements set by ASTRA mentioned above.

The developed concept aims at answering the following questions:

• Which technology or mix of technologies can provide a CO2-neutral vehicle fleet for GEVI/ASTRA by 2025 (< 3.5 t) and 2030 (> 3.5 t) respectively?
• What refueling and/or charging infrastructure would be needed for the new fleet?
• How can the transition of the vehicle fleet and infrastructure be planned, such as even during the changeover period, GEVI/ASTRA are allowed to fulfill their assignments (especially the services provided in winter, i.e., snow removal)?

Contact

For more information please contact: Daniel Kliem, daniel.kliem@ost.ch