Report prompts transformation in traffic fuels in South Karelia

South Karelia is committed to ambitious climate goals: by 2030, the region aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from the 2007 level. Reducing the emissions from road traffic is key to achieving this goal, requiring a transition from fossil fuels to alternative power sources, including electricity, gas and hydrogen. Rejlers and BearingPoint studied how to promote this transformation in South Karelia. 

Road traffic is by some margin the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in South Karelia: it causes nearly one-third of all emissions. Consequently, action to reduce emissions in the transport sector is absolutely necessary. A distribution network for alternative fuels will play an important role in the shift.  

The Regional Council of South Karelia studied the development of a distribution network in a project funded by the Ministry of the Environment. Rejlers and BearingPoint examined the entire vehicle fleet and all alternative fuels. The study initially focused on the small municipalities of South Karelia and later expanded to cover the cities of Imatra and Lappeenranta.  

“The outcome was a study covering the entire region, describing the development of a distribution network to reduce road traffic emissions,” says Sonja Tynkkynen, Traffic and Transport Expert at the Regional Council of South Karelia. 

The study included three work packages, which resulted in a good overview of the developments required by the distribution network and practical action to promote transformation in South Karelia. The region’s municipalities and other actors received useful tools for future development.  

The first work package was a readiness analysis, which looked at the region’s existing vehicle fleet and distribution network, as well as the outlook for the future in terms of legislation, among other factors. The second work package produced a practical guidebook on how to begin developing the distribution network. The guidebook describes the processes for establishing charging stations and distribution points, clarifies the cost structure, and examines opportunities for financing and joint procurement.  

“The consultants did very good work here. The handbook considers all possible factors and gives us much more information than we expected. Municipalities can use the handbook to determine areas of responsibility and the most suitable financing options for developing the distribution network,” says Tynkkynen.  

The third work package mapped the potential locations of charging points and distribution stations. The outcome was a municipality-specific plan for developing electric vehicle charging networks and a regional examination of suitable locations for electric charging stations and gas and hydrogen distribution stations to serve heavy-duty traffic.  

“Electricity will play a key role in the network’s development, as electrification will be the most efficient way of reducing traffic emissions in the coming years. On the other hand, South Karelia has a relatively high number of biogas cars and stations compared with the national average,” says Joona Ehrnrooth, Service Manager at Rejlers. 

The distribution network development plan supports regional land use planning in South Karelia and serves as an excellent background study for municipalities and operators that could begin expanding the network. 

“The plan facilitates decision-making in smaller municipalities and sets out a clear framework for the direction of development work. In bigger towns and cities, the study will help plan a charging network for heavy-duty traffic in particular,” says Tynkkynen. 

Rejlers will also support its customers as the development of the distribution network progresses towards the design and construction of new charging points or distribution stations.  

“We have the expertise and experience to work on these projects, regardless of the fuel type. For example, we leverage our electricity network expertise to design high-power charging and work on charging station projects for heavy-duty traffic,” says Ehrnrooth.  

BearingPoint and Rejlers carried out the study together: BearingPoint led the project, and Rejlers brought its strong technical expertise. The collaborative model has proven effective in the past: the parties have carried out similar studies on developing distribution networks for other municipalities and regions. 

Tynkknen says the parties collaborated seamlessly, and the Regional Council of South Karelia was satisfied with the consulting work from the outset. Rejlers’ name already had a positive ring at the procurement decision stage, and the tender was prepared clearly. The work progressed smoothly throughout the project, and the region’s representatives were actively involved. 

“We were highly satisfied with everyone’s work: the consulting work on this project was the best we have ever seen. The work was well organised, we received a lot of interim reviews, we stayed in close contact, and help was always at hand. The municipal governments and councils have also been happy with the work, and we have talked out this successful project in our networks,” says Tynkkynen.