Shared Charging Infrastructure in Collaborative Electrification Hubs (CEHs) Governance, Cost Allocation, and Operational Viability

Sammanfattning

The European road freight sector is transitioning to battery electric vehicles due to stringentdecarbonization mandates. However, this transition is hindered by severe physical constraintsin the energy grid, rendering individual high-capacity charging connections unfeasible formany logistics service providers (LSPs). Consequently, the industry is gravitating towardsCollaborative Electrification Hubs (CEHs). While CEHs resolve grid bottlenecks byaggregating demand, they introduce complex micro-level tensions regarding operationalcoordination, trust, and equitable cost allocation, particularly under volatile peak-basedpower tariffs. The central problem is the lack of established organizational models to governthese interdependent actors sharing a finite resource.This study employs a qualitative, multi-method approach to explore the organizationaldynamics of shared charging infrastructure. The methodology integrates a Semi-systematicLiterature Review (SSLR) focusing on logistics governance and electric vehicleinfrastructure, complemented by semi-structured expert interviews with key stakeholdersacross academic, independent operational, and procurement domains. The analysis isgrounded in a dual-theoretical framework: Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) explains theformation of hubs as bridging strategies to manage resource scarcity, while Game Theoryassesses the strategic stability and fairness of cost-allocation mechanisms.The research proposes a "Three-Level Model of Systemic Interdependence" to illustrate howmacro-level grid constraints force meso-level organizational clustering, which in turngenerates micro-level operational friction. Preliminary findings suggest that without robustgovernance mechanisms and neutral orchestrators to enforce fair cost allocation andoperational rules, CEHs are susceptible to free-riding and systemic instability. Ultimately,this thesis provides a theoretical and practical framework for designing governance structuresthat ensure fair access, mitigate operational uncertainty, and lower the Total Cost ofOwnership (TCO) for logistics operators navigating the electrification transition.