Methodology to evaluate the operational suitability of electromobility systems for urban logistics operations

• Main Authors: Teoh, Tharsis, Kunze, Oliver, Teo, Chee-Chong
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Urban Logistics; Electromobility; DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/89291; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/46174
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

A methodology was developed to evaluate the operational suitability of electromobility concepts for last-mile delivery operations. Electromobility systems consisting of electric vehicles of ten weight classes and four mid-operation charging strategies were synthesized and evaluated using a hypothetical grocery outlet replenishment scenario. A system of operational suitability indicators was developed based on the amount of and efficiency of resources needed. The results highlight a strong trade-off between single-charge driving range, payload capacity, and the minimum fleet size needed. If operational performance similar to that of diesel vehicles is to be reached, mid-operation charging could be a reasonable alternative to “simply” having a bigger vehicle battery.