- We look at the batteries in the buses, for example how much environmental impact they have during their life cycle and what risks there are with battery production from a social perspective, says Iris Rehnström, environmental and sustainability manager at Skånetrafiken.

Buses powered by renewable electricity reduce climate emissions by 90 percent compared to buses powered by internal combustion engines, Skånetrafiken writes in a press release.

Iris Rehnström, environmental and sustainability strategist at Skånetrafiken.

At the same time, says Iris Rehnström, knowledge about the production of batteries and the environmental impact is rather limited. Therefore, Skånetrafiken has taken the initiative to know more.

Three reports

Three reports have been produced by Lund University of Technology, IVL Swedish Environmental Institute and Save the Children. The reports examine the social impact and climate impact associated with the entire supply chain behind the batteries that ultimately drive the city buses.

- Thanks to the reports, for example, we know that mining of cobalt for the batteries pollutes the local environment, that in some mines there is child labor and that the greatest climate impact arises from energy use in production, says Iris Rehnström.

Make demands on suppliers

What do you bring from these reports?

- For example, the report writers have recommended that we make demands on the supply chain to follow OECD guidelines on minerals. We have also got the council to work with other transport companies and traffic lenders in the Nordic countries to gain greater weight and consistency behind, for example, environmental requirements.

At present, only a small part of Skånetrafiken's city bus fleet is electric. The majority are powered by biogas. By 2031, Skånetrafiken aims to have electrified all city bus traffic in Malmö.