Background Climate change was the main priority of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union in 2009. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA Report No 5/2008, 16 October 2008), the EU15 is on track to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitment of an 8% reduction of emissions by 2012. However, additional measures will be required if the EU27 is to meet the subsequent goal agreed by EU leaders, of a 20% emissions reduction by 2020. Emissions have been reduced in all main sectors except transport. The continuing expansion of public transport is expected to add to the challenge of reducing emissions in this sector. However, increasing electrification is likely to be beneficial, as the source of the energy required is flexible and the amount of energy used for transportation can be reduced. Objectives The main aim of the project is to demonstrate how greenhouse gas emissions, and other forms of air pollution, can be reduced through the introduction of a unique ‘SLIDE IN’ concept for public transport. The project will also demonstrate how the “SLIDE IN” concept can be used in Europe to establish a flexible and cost-effective bus system, using existing infrastructure. The concept is expected to have considerable advantages over ordinary diesel buses in terms of emissions, noise and reliability. The SLIDE IN concept will be tested in two different cities in Sweden: on the trolley bus electric lines in Landskrona, and on the electric tram lines in Lund. During the project, the SLIDE IN concept will be demonstrated on a specially equipped bus, using new technology that allows batteries to be charged while the vehicle is in use – ‘sliding in’. In the first stage of the project, the SLIDE IN bus will be tested on the electric lines currently used by a couple of trolleybuses in Landskrona. The bus route will be organised to make sure that the SLIDE IN bus operates on battery alone for about 10 km, before returning to the electric line for a period to recharge the batteries. In the second stage, two years into the project, the bus will be adapted so that it can slide into a tramway system. The bus can be recharged by the existing electric lines of a tramway system. No new infrastructure investments will be required. The bus will also be equipped with a fleet management system in order to keep track of data, such as battery capacity, temperature, and driving distances. The concept will also be analysed from an economical and a human perspective, to ensure that it is sustainable from all perspectives. SLIDE IN can reduce energy use for transportation by more than 50%, while also eliminating the use of fossil fuels. The fleet management system will continuously monitor the energy used by the bus and an assessment will be carried out on the future potential for implementing SLIDE-IN technology for all types of road transportation in Europe, including cars, buses and trucks. At least six bus drivers will also be trained in driving the SLIDE IN bus and in ‘eco driving’. Expected results: The introduction of SLIDE IN buses will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 5.76 tonnes per year. The reduction will be achieved due to the elimination of fossil fuels through the use of more energy efficient and zero-emission vehicles. Eco-driving training is expected to lead to a further reduction in CO2 emissions of 0.29-0.58 tonnes per year for the six drivers concerned. As a result, a total reduction of at least 6.05 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year will be achieved by the project activities, with a cumulative impact of at least 26.3 tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced during the lifespan of the project. Additional environmental improvements will include a reduction of 229.8 kg of NOx per year and 2.82 kg of PM1 per year. Moreover, nano-particulate reduction will occur in proportion to the NOx reduction, thus leading to improvements of public health. A decrease in noise pollution will also be achieved due to the introduction of a more efficient and quieter technology.