Master Thesis - Electrification and electricity pricing in transport procurement

Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.

Background of thesis project

Volvo Group's Logistics Purchasing department is responsible for managing logistics contracts globally across all transport modes. Electrification of transport is a highly important area for reaching our sustainability ambitions, while also building knowledge and capabilities that will remain valuable as transport markets continue to transform. We are therefore initiating a thesis project to examine how electricity as an energy source changes the commercial and procurement conditions for road transport.

Volvo Group aims to lead by example by electrifying its own logistics flows, showcasing its products in real operations and helping stimulate market development. By operating electric vehicles in our logistics network, we can learn from the same opportunities and challenges that our customers and transport providers face. At the same time, the transition introduces new cost drivers and commercial mechanisms. Electricity prices vary across Europe and may depend on geography, time of use, charging location, grid and power fees, contractual arrangements, taxes, incentives and different forms of indexation.

For students, this thesis offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of sustainable logistics, energy markets and strategic purchasing. The topic combines market analysis with practical procurement challenges and can generate knowledge that is relevant to companies, transport providers and future professionals supporting the transition to zero-emission transport.

Thesis questions and expected outcome

The expected outcome is a structured mapping of electricity-price conditions across selected European markets and an analysis of the mechanisms that influence the cost of operating electrified transport. The study should translate these findings into procurement-relevant insights, including how electricity-related costs can be evaluated, compared, monitored and addressed in sourcing decisions and contracts. We are also looking for recommendations on principles, data sources and decision support that could help Logistics Purchasing manage cost, risk and transparency as electrified transport becomes more widely adopted.

We would like the student/s to investigate the following questions:

- How do electricity-price levels and market structures differ across selected European countries and regions?

- Which components and mechanisms influence the effective electricity cost for electric road transport, including energy prices, grid and power fees, charging models, taxes, incentives, timing and charging location?

- Which electricity indexes, reference prices or other adjustment mechanisms could be relevant when sourcing and contracting electrified transport services?

- How can procurement evaluate and allocate electricity-price risk, create transparency and establish fair commercial models between transport buyers and transport providers?

Additional areas may include comparisons between depot, public and en-route charging; fixed versus variable electricity agreements; charging-infrastructure investment and ownership; contract duration; total-cost-of-ownership assumptions; and how purchasing criteria may need to evolve as transport moves from conventional fuel-based models to electricity-powered operations. The thesis questions are subject to further definition and detailing by the students and mentor(s) based on findings early in the thesis process.

Student profile and application

Master students in Logistics/Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering and Management, Energy Economics, Business Administration, Economics or a similar field. We are looking for students with a high drive and curiosity, an interest in sustainability and procurement, and the ability to combine quantitative market analysis with commercial and strategic perspectives. Experience of data analysis, energy markets, transport economics or sourcing is an advantage. We expect the students to be on site.

We will continuously review the applications and interviews, so don't wait to submit your application.

Ready for this challenge?

Send in your application today!

Language: English
Starting date: Mid January 2027
Number of students: 2
Last application date: Novemer 8th.

If you have any questions, contact:
Regional Buyer: [email protected]

Regional Buyer: [email protected]

We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail.

Who we are and what we believe in
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.

Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group . Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. ​We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. ​We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment.

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