An Analysis on Shared Charging Hubs for Eco-Friendly Vehicles in Urban Logistics

Using electric vehicles in urban freight distribution generates opportunities (e.g., zero emissions in urban areas) and challenges (e.g., range of electric vehicles). Their adoption implies that operators need to change the approach to freight distribution. As an example, the reduced range of an electric vehicle substantially reduces the kilometers traveled before a recharging stop. This implies a redefinition of routes, fleet size, personnel, and vehicle charging management. This research investigates the changes that operators must make when using shared charging hubs. Given the interest of logistic companies in reducing both their fixed and operating costs, the use of shared recharging hubs for electric vans and trucks constitutes a relevant applied research theme. This paper explores the pre-feasibility of some possible concrete scenarios. In more detail, the investigated scenarios involve charging hubs located in three different settings: at the depot, based on client distribution, and scattered across the area. The aim is to assess the performance of each scenario under the assumption that the position of the charging hub reflects the choices of operators on the usage of electric freight vehicles. The indicators considered for comparison are the delivery service time, the charging time and the number of routes.