Gothenburg City is increasing demand for emission-free construction and civil engineering vehicles with the common requirement ladder for electrification. Several major buyers in Gothenburg City are taking further steps together toward reduced climate impact in construction. Gothenburg becomes one of the cities in the world leading the way in gathering a city corporation around requirements for electric-powered contracting – and the first in Sweden.
The electrification ladder is introduced at 20 percent this year, and then gradually increases to 70 percent electric-powered machines by 2030. This ladder involves concrete steps to achieve Gothenburg City's Electrification Plan 2022–2030, where the goal is that the majority of all contracting work will be emission-free by 2030. , excavators) – 2026: 20%, 2027: 30%, 2028: 40%, 2029: 50%, 2030: 70%.
The requirement levels are raised gradually during the contract period based on the above table. Passenger cars and handheld equipment are 100% in 2026. All construction projects in Gothenburg will be covered by the electrification, not just the simplest projects.
By clarifying how the electrification plan looks, business and other actors can more easily follow along in the transition for reduced climate impact in construction. By acting collectively, the City contributes to creating a uniform and predictable demand for emission-free contracting in the Gothenburg region. This gives business clear long-term signals and improves conditions for transition to and investments in electric operation.
The step to the electrification ladder was initiated during Almedalsveckan 2025, where Gothenburg City signed Fossil-Free Sweden's declaration of intent on emission-free civil engineering contracting, through municipal councilor Karin Pleijel (MP). The following administrations and companies in Gothenburg City decided on March 25, 2026, to introduce and gradually tighten electrification requirements in their procured contracts. It remains unclear what specific measures or incentives are being provided to businesses to help them meet the electrification requirements, and how compliance with the electrification ladder will be monitored and enforced.
Additionally, the estimated cost impact of this transition on construction projects in Gothenburg has not been disclosed.