Finland received significant funding from the EU for a project that requires, among other things, the electrification of heavy traffic and the use of biogas - Traficom involved in transport experiments | Traficom
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Finland received significant funding from the EU for a project that requires, among other things, the electrification of heavy traffic and the use of biogas - Traficom involved in transport experiments

January 4, 2024 at 8:03

A wide Finnish network of research institutes, public administration, companies and foundations was successful in the funding application of the climate projects in the EU LIFE programme. The ACE project will start from the beginning of 2024 with a budget of 20 million euros. The funding supports the implementation of domestic sustainable investments and aims to increase them.

As solutions, the project develops the value chains of wetland farming, plant proteins and biogas, promotes energy efficiency measures for heavy traffic transport and construction machinery and the introduction of clean driving forces, and accelerates the intelligent electrification of production processes in small and medium-sized industries. 

The project will implement several different pilots and investments, which should be significantly scaled in Finland. For example, an electricity and biomethane distribution station with services will be built for heavy equipment in Naantali. In Southern, Central and Northern Finland, electric and biogas transports are being tested in the forest and food industry, and in Lapland an electric timber truck is being tested in forest industry transports in Arctic conditions. In Kajaani and Kangasala, medium-sized industrial processes are being turned electric. Wetland farming is being expanded in South-Eastern Finland with agricultural entrepreneurs and landowners, and a growing medium produced from wetland plants is being tested.

Experiments together with public administration, research institutes, companies and foundations

The ACE project will be implemented in 2024–2030.  The Finnish Environment Institute coordinates the project, and additionally, the following entities will receive EU funding Ahola Transport Oy, Climate expert network of ELY centres, University of Eastern Finland, Kajaanin Romu Oy, Kiteen Mato ja Multa Oy, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, Linkosuon Leipomo Oy, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), LUT University, Metsä Group, Metsähallitus Metsätalous Oy, Metsäteho Oy,  Plugit Finland Oy, Pohjaset Oy, Stora Enso, Tiina ja Antti Herlinin säätiö, Toijala Works Oy, Tuoretie Oy, UPM-Kymmene Oyj, Ministry of the Environment and WWF Suomi. 

The ACE project work set led by Traficom accelerates the technological transition of heavy traffic in the driving forces. "As the leader of the whole, Traficom coordinates, among other things, cooperation in heavy traffic measures both within its own work unit and with other work units of the ACE project. In addition, Traficom acts as an expert in the vehicle fleet and related regulations in the work package," says Traficom's Chief Adviser Aki Tilli. 

Plans to improve the sustainability of heavy traffic are already being actively promoted. Ahola Transport Oy and Plugit Finland Oy are jointly building an ecosystem of alternative driving forces for heavy traffic in Naantali. 

Pohjaset Oy and Metsä Group are piloting an electric truck and charging infrastructure in Arctic conditions in Lapland. 

LUT University will conduct preliminary studies for both pilots and during and after them a scientific analysis of the results obtained. Extensive cooperation and information exchange with customers and providers of heavy traffic transport and others operating in the field will also be built around the piloting.

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