Elmira Parviziomran’s thesis, focusing on the transition to zero-emission vehicles, was highlighted as one of the most notable theses in freight transport and logistics in Sweden from July 2023 to June 2024, receiving a prize of 30,000 SEK.
– I believe this acknowledgment from the ICHCA Foundation will highlight the importance of further studying this topic and encourage researchers to expand this area, especially regarding financial mechanisms that can support the transition in the road freight transport sector, says Elmira Parviziomran, postdoctoral researcher at the School of Business, Economics and Law.
Understanding Cost Structures and Charging Strategies
Her research presents a novel static cost model designed to simulate the investment needs for decarbonizing the heavy-duty road transport sector. This model refines existing cost estimations by incorporating financing costs and testing different charging strategies for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Her study analyzed how current electricity prices influence the total system cost and the total cost of ownership for trucks, providing valuable insights into the economic impacts of these variables.
– I hope that my research will contribute to the literature and help companies by providing a clearer understanding of the cost structure associated with zero-emission technologies in this sector. By offering insights into their charging behavior and strategies, such as charging during peak or off-peak hours, and their impact on the total cost of ownership,” says Elmira Parviziomran.
One of the findings is the impact of charging strategy—charging location, timing, power, and electricity source—on BEV costs, especially in scenarios with higher adoption rates. The study also indicates that high hydrogen prices can add substantial costs for FCVs, while reductions in load capacity have a minor effect on overall costs. Additionally, Elmira Parviziomran outlines barriers to adopting a circular economy for BEV batteries and underscores the need for supportive financing frameworks.
Implications for Industry and Policymakers
The ICHCA Foundation awards theses that make a valuable contribution to the field. Elmira Parviziomran’s research centers on financial sustainability and examines strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. Her findings offer a framework that companies and policymakers can use to better understand the financial and practical aspects of the green transition in freight transport.
– From the policy side, I hope that my research will provide a better understanding for policymakers to see the financial challenges tied to this transition and design better financial mechanisms for such a transition, especially in support of smaller companies, which dominate this sector, she says.
Now, after receiving this recognition, Elmira Parviziomran continues to explore this topic.
– I am specifically looking at the electricity price structure and its impact on the total cost of ownership for trucks. I am also examining how these electricity prices can be incorporated into pricing at public charging stations to support further electrification. Additionally, I am investigating the risks associated with electrification, focusing on how these risks manifest at the network or value chain level and how risk-sharing occurs between actors within the value chain, with a particular focus on construction equipment, she explains.
The Swedish Community for Sustainable Finance (SCSF), which supports research at this intersection of finance and logistics, shares their thoughts on the importance of her achievement
– First, we must congratulate Elmira on this well-deserved award! Recognitions like the ICHCA award are important to signal that we are performing excellent research in areas of great societal significance. It is also a testimony to the relevance of multidisciplinary research, and in this specific case the value of combining finance with logistics. The Swedish Community for Sustainable Finance strives to support such research, and we are proud to have played a small part in fostering Elmira's success, says Viktor Elliot, Director of SCSF.
Text: Simon Fredling Jack, communicator.
