Introduction

The regional commuter traffic operator in Skåne, Skånetrafiken, has set the target to be fossil-free fuelled by 2020.

Objectives and target audience

The main focus within this project is to reduce fossil fuel use of busses in Skåne to zero by the year, 2020 at the latest.  The plan to ensure that this will occur is as follows:-

-    Busses in city traffic should be fossil-free fuelled year 2015.
-    Busses in regional traffic should be fossil-free fuelled year 2018.
-    Other vehicles in traffic should be fossil free fuelled year 2020.

600 GWh of renewable fuel is the estimated requirement in Skånetrafikens for busses in the year 2020.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

Region Skåne is the owner of Skånetrafiken, and they finance 35% of Skånetrafiken´s expenses.  The remaining stake of 65 %, is financed by the public by the use of Skånetrafikens services.

It is hard to determine at the present time, how much capital is needed to undergo the process of the change to a fossil free fuelled commuter service company.

Process

-    The trade organisation for commuter traffic in Sweden, Swedish Local traffic organisation (SLTF), has developed an agreement for all local commuter traffic companies to sign, legally agreeing to a fossil-free fuelled commuter traffic system by the year 2020.
-    Skånetrafiken is the first regional commuter traffic company in Sweden to sign the agreement which occurred in 2008.
-    The change should begin as soon as possible but fuel supply, vehicle supply, technical situation, economic situation and agreement boundaries have to be taken into consideration.

Results

Skånetrafiken has already implemented the work on the change to become a fossil-free fuelled commuter traffic company.

-    100 % of the electricity needed to supply trains for transport in Skåne is delivered from renewable sources.
-    90 % of Skånetrafikens city busses are gas driven.  Within the cities of Kristianstad and Eslöv, the busses are operated by 100 % renewable biogas.  The remainder of the city busses are fuelled by a mix of biogas and natural gas.
-    10 % of the regional busses are gas driven.  They are also fuelled by a mix of natural gas and biogas.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

Success factors are:-
-    The supply of renewable energy to decent prices from energy market actors.
-    The enthusiasm from key actors including steering committee to take the step towards a fossil-free fuelled traffic.
-    Increased technology development.