National and international freight transport in Europe is significantly influenced by both, national and the European Union (EU) strategies and regulations. The successful market launch of Electric Road Systems (ERS) can only succeed with knowledge of the current state of the European freight transport system and its framework conditions. Within the framework of the collERS project, a possible ERS corridor between Sweden and Germany via Denmark is being investigated. The present paper therefore examines the current strategic orientation of freight transport in the affected countries and at EU level with a view to a possible introduction of ERS. The aim is to identify barriers and opportunities for ERS on a national and European level as well as potential fields of governmental action and possible conflicts with regard to a successful international market ramp-up of ERS.

After an overview of the economic and ecological importance of the European transport sector, the following section first deals with the development of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in transport and especially in road freight transport at national and European level. In this context, strategies for reducing GHG emissions in transport that have been adopted so far will also be discussed.

Subsequently, an overview of the socio-economic conditions in the countries considered and their logistics markets is given and possible opportunities and risks for the use of ERS are discussed.

A look at the status and perspectives of freight transport in the countries under consideration and at the available transport infrastructure provides further indications of the importance that alternative drive technologies could have for road freight transport in the future.

The analysis of the framework in terms of policy measures in the transport sector provides an overview of the conditions already existing or to be expected at EU and national level for the use of alternative propulsion technologies in road freight transport.

Finally, based on the preceding analyses, the possible implications of the existing framework conditions in the transport sector for the introduction of ERS are discussed and potential fields of action are defined.