EVs in Social Resilience and Preparedness – Lessons from Ukraine

Project Overview

The project explores the role of electric vehicles (EVs) in social resilience and preparedness by studying how EVs are used in crisis and wartime situations in Ukraine, and by transferring lessons learned to a Swedish context. The study is based on interviews with EV owners in Ukraine, complemented by interviews with EV market stakeholders and other key actors. It is conducted in close collaboration with the Ukrainian research institute State Road Transport Research Institute (SRTRI) in Kyiv. By combining perspectives on electromobility, energy systems, and household behavior, the project develops new knowledge about how EVs can contribute to societal resilience.

The EV as a Resource in Crisis

While EVs primarily function as a means of transport, under certain conditions they also have the potential to serve as an energy resource—for example, by providing backup power to homes, neighborhoods, and local communities. The project investigates the extent to which this occurs in practice, and the conditions that could enable such a role from a preparedness perspective.

Lessons from Ukraine for Mutual Benefit

Ukraine offers unique experiences of EV use under severe conditions, providing valuable insights into how EVs can be utilized in times of crisis and uncertainty. By analyzing these experiences, the project identifies strategies, drivers, and barriers that can strengthen energy systems, charging infrastructure, and preparedness in both Sweden and Ukraine.

Knowledge That Makes a Difference

The project’s results provide municipalities, government agencies, and energy companies with concrete recommendations for planning electrification and crisis preparedness. For households, the project increases awareness of how EVs can be used as part of home preparedness, contributing to a more robust and sustainable society.