A Multidimensional Readiness Index for the Electrification of the Transportation System in China, Norway, and Sweden

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper contains a concept of Multidimenstional Readiness Index for electrification of transport system, based on the KTH Innovation Readiness Level. The paper is interesting and well written, alhough I have the following remaks:

It's a pity that only very advanced countries are researched - please consider adding one country that is not so advanced, such as the USA, France, Italy or Spain.

It should be clearly stressed if the paper refers to individual cars or enitre transport system. This in currently not clear.

Tables should be formatted according to the MDPI pattern - no shading.

Data on the top selling cars in China seem to be redundant and not connected with the topic of the paper. Rather dynamic of total sales (and maybe also production) of EVs should be presented - and consequently in all countries.

There are double spaces in lines 1061 and 1167 - please check the entire text for double spaces).

Author Response

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. I highly appreciate all your valuable comments on this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses of each of your valuable comments:

• It's a pity that only very advanced countries are researched - please consider adding one country that is not so advanced, such as the USA, France, Italy or Spain.

Answer: Thank you very much for your comment. In this paper the main focus was to develop the multidimensional readiness index model which we tested on the three countries leading in the electrification of transportation systems. Whereas in our next paper we have applied and further tested to validate the model on eight countries (China, India, Australia, Germany, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK) from three different continents (Asia, Australia and Europe). The next paper will soon be sent to a journal.

• It should be clearly stressed if the paper refers to individual cars or the entire transport system. This is currently not clear.

Answer: Thank you very much for your comment. It is mentioned in line 163 that “this research mainly focuses on passenger vehicles…”

• Tables should be formatted according to the MDPI pattern - no shading.

Answer: Thank you very much for your comment. Now, I have simplified the tables and removed all the shadings.

• Data on the top selling cars in China seem to be redundant and not connected with the topic of the paper. Rather dynamic of total sales (and maybe also production) of EVs should be presented - and consequently in all countries.

Answer: Thank you very much for your comment. We've highlighted the top 10 selling EV brands in China, Norway, and Sweden in our technology readiness paper. This is to gauge whether local EV manufacturers in these countries produce vehicles and rank among the top sellers. It provides insight into EV brands' domestic success and preference within their own markets."

• There are double spaces in lines 1061 and 1167 - please check the entire text for double spaces.

Answer: Thank you very much for your comment. Now, I have gone through the entire text and removed the double spaces.

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper is interesting with novel findings and important implications for the near future on electrification. Some minor remarks for the authors:

1_ All tables should have headings, e.g., pg. 22 there is no heading for table 5. 

2_ Make sure each figure presents different information compared to tables. For example, figure 11 vs last column of table 5 present identical information and could be omitted. Double check the percentage of Sweden. 

3_ The reviewer would like to see a comment about the infrastructure components and readiness. For examples, most of the existing pavements worldwide are in aged conditions with distresses, etc. In those cases, it may be costly to organize intervention actions. Does this make sense versus the massive appearance of electrified vehicles and their relative impact on the infrastructure condition? Please comment.

4_ Please provide study limitations and future research directions.

Minor needs for change

Author Response

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. I highly appreciate all your valuable and genuine comments on this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses of your valuable comment:

• All tables should have headings, e.g., pg. 22 there is no heading for table 5. 

Answer: Thank you very much for highlighting the missing heading for table 5. Now, I have added the heading of table 5 and checked all of the other tables and figures captions.

• Make sure each figure presents different information compared to tables. For example, figure 11 vs last column of table 5 present identical information and could be omitted. Double check the percentage of Sweden. 

Answer: Thank you very much for your feedback. Yes, the calculation of the last column of table 5 has been used to plot a graph in order for the better visualization of the positioning of the countries in the process of transforming the transportation system. Now, I have also made it clear in the text.

Also, thank you for highlighting the error in the percentage of Sweden. Now, I have corrected it.

• The reviewer would like to see a comment about the infrastructure components and readiness. For examples, most of the existing pavements worldwide are in aged conditions with distresses, etc. In those cases, it may be costly to organize intervention actions. Does this make sense versus the massive appearance of electrified vehicles and their relative impact on the infrastructure condition? Please comment.

Answer: If I understood your question correctly then my point of view on this question is that our aging global infrastructure faces problems from the growing popularity of electric vehicles. Because many pavements are worn out and ancient, repairs can be expensive. Because of their distinct weight distributions, electric cars may make these infrastructural problems worse. Further alterations to the road are necessary for the installation of EV charging stations. With the increasing number of electrified cars on the road, it is imperative to think beyond band-aid solutions and instead think about thorough infrastructure overhauls. While improving the state of the pavement is important, we also need to get our roads ready for increased traffic in the future.

• Please provide study limitations and future research directions.

Answer: Thank you very much for your feedback.

Actually, this is ongoing research. In this paper the main focus was to develop the multidimensional readiness index model which we tested on the three countries leading in the electrification of transportation systems. Whereas in our next paper we have applied and further tested to validate the model on eight countries (China, India, Australia, Germany, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK) from three different continents (Asia, Australia and Europe). The next paper will soon be sent to a journal. Therefore, we intentionally did not restrict ourselves with the limitations.

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors have developed an analytical tool for examining achievements in the electrification of transport systems. They used the developed tool to assess the readiness of China, Norway and Sweden for transport electrification. The article is well organized and may be approved for publication.

Minor errors: There is an error in the chart in Figure 11. For Sweden, positioning in the development of transportation electrification should be at the level of 75%.

Author Response

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. I highly appreciate all your valuable and genuine comments on this manuscript. Please find below the detailed responses to your valuable comment:

• Minor errors: There is an error in the chart in Figure 11. For Sweden, positioning in the development of transportation electrification should be at the level of 75%.

Answer: Thank you very much for highlighting the error. Now, I have corrected it.