Impacts of Regional Electrified Logistics on Drivers’ and Transport Planners’ Work Environments

Book chapter, 2025

The REEL project aims to accelerate the large-scale transition to REgional Electrified Logistics – thereby reducing freight transport emissions and noise pollution – by testing Battery Electric Trucks (BETs) for regional distribution. Over 60 regional electrified logistics flows in varying driving assignments across Sweden provide the empirical basis for the project. This paper presents initial results from an interview study with two BET stakeholder groups – drivers and transport planners at participating logistics companies. Based on employees’ reflections on how the BETs affect their daily work (or not), or likely will once scaled up, findings include: ways to improve employee support in the transition to BETs (from improved planning tools to networking), varied health benefits, yet-entrenched gendered views of EVs, feelings ranging from skepticism to appreciation, and anticipation or trepidation for “the future”. This study contributes empirical evidence to the very limited knowledge on and experience with BETs and, in particular, the perspectives of ‘front-line workers’ with BETs.