Wired for change: Sustainable business models in the transition towards electrified road freight transport

Abstract

The transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) challenges current logistics systems and actors’ business models, especially logistics service providers (LSP). In response, the purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the characteristics of critical factors in business models for LSPs when adapting electrified freight. A structured interview study targeting LSPs that are operating BEVs has been carried out. Eleven factors deemed as critical were identified in business model components, pointing to a need to take a holistic view when designing business models for electrified freight. Furthermore, four themes are identified that address how characteristics of logistics systems change when BEVs are adopted. This includes changes in uncertainty and complexity. To comply with the increased dynamic, the paper proposes a conceptual framework which captures the evolvement of the critical factors when the market matures by classifying them as constant, fading, adopting, and emerging. The critical factors and their evolvement can be used as guidelines for practitioners and researchers in their development of sustainable business models in the transfer towards electrified freight.