Institutional barriers to dynamic truck charging: why electric road systems struggle in Europe

Electric road systems (ERS) have been proposed as an efficient solution to dynamically charge electric trucks but have not yet become a dominant solution. This paper provides an institutional explanation for the case of Europe, building on 22 expert interviews in eight European countries, event observations, and policy documents. The analysis identifies three main explanations. Firstly, as a line infrastructure, ERS require government commitment for build-up and coordination, particularly across borders. This conflicts with the widespread idea of technology-open governments that provide R&D funds to initiate market-driven solutions. Secondly, time constraints favour readily available solutions backed by industry, like stationary charging, over sector-specific ERS technologies that lack a unified lobby with policy access. Thirdly, ERS technologies challenge long-standing sectoral designs. If policymakers want to maintain the option of ERS alongside stationary charging, they need to acknowledge this institutional uphill battle and consider compatibility requirements for vehicles and an active commitment for larger routes.