A network design perspective on the adoption potential of electric road systems in early development stages

The electrification of heavy freight trucks presents a significant challenge in the global push to decarbonize the transport sector. This study explores the deployment of Electric Road Systems (ERS) as a potential solution. We propose a novel methodology, grounded in rich empirical data, and apply it to the potential deployment of ERS infrastructure in the Netherlands. The primary aim is to analyze the adoption potential of different ERS network designs during the early stages of ERS development, specifically contrasting dense infrastructures with longer ERS corridors. The results show that corridors offer superior performance in terms of the distance traveled over the ERS infrastructure while dense networks attract more, but shorter trips. These differences in performance indicators have important implications for policymakers when considering the financial viability and environmental impact of different ERS network designs.