An independent investigation by Henrik Ny from SustainTrans has found that Magnetic trains can be the future of  fast ground transport for Sweden and an export opportunity.

Based on his investigation Henrik Ny urges Sweden’s transport politicians to initiate an independent rapid investigation that compares different future scenarios for high-speed ground transport. According to him, magnetic trains could provide the best customer benefit, be best for the national economy and give the least environmental impact. In addition, this could provide an export opportunity for Sweden.

During 2020 and 2021, the Swedish debate on high-speed ground transport intensified. Conflicting facts and opinions have been presented in a way that is incompatible with a global strategic sustainability perspective. This is regrettable since solving the complex sustainability challenge would require a holistic approach and a cooperation between all sectors of society.

The SustainTrans team leader Henrik Ny today releases an independent report on how future high-speed land transport could contribute to a sustainable society.

The report is aimed at Swedish transport politicians and other high-level decision-makers in the transport sector. It points out that Swedish transport politicians should as soon as possible initiate a serious independent rapid investigation that compares at least the three future scenarios for high-speed ground transport covered in our report.

The report highlights three main alternatives, scenarios, for future high-speed ground transport:

• Scenario 1: Upgrade existing train system. This can bring some marginal benefits but risks not meeting the transport needs of either private individuals or industry, increasing societal costs and requiring powerful instruments and mandatory rules to make it possible to protect the environment.
• Scenario 2: Build a new high-speed train system. This could probably be better for the transport needs of private individuals and industry and for the national economy, but it would also have tangible environmental impacts.
• Scenario 3: Build a new magnetic train system. This could have the best potential to meet the transport needs of private individuals and industry and at the same time be the best for the national economy and have the least environmental impacts.

The report emphasizes the need to look broadly enough to get the effects for the entire transport sector and society at large. Looking at all the inherent benefits this study found magnetic trains to be the most promising solution.

If the report’s conclusions could be confirmed by a rapid investigation, and if politicians and other senior decision-makers could act accordingly, then Sweden could be the first country in Europe to build the new breakthrough technology magnetic trains. This could also give Sweden future export opportunities by becoming a strong alternative for magnetic train know-how.

Link to the report