Zero Emission City Logistics: Current Practices in Freight Electromobility and Feasibility in the Near Future

TLDR

A feasible case for electric freight vehicles in urban logistics exists only when technology, policy, incentives, operations, and logistics all support each other. The study investigates the feasibility of electric freight vehicles for carriers, assessing attitudes and business‑case elements, and identifies actions needed to boost uptake. The authors evaluate business cases for various truck sizes by integrating technology, logistics, policy, and user attitudes, using data from the FP7 FREVUE project that tracked over 100 electric vehicles in eight European cities during their transition from conventional to electric operation. The analysis concludes that targeted actions—such as supportive policies, financial incentives, and operational adjustments—are required soon to enhance the adoption of electric freight vehicles.

Abstract

This paper examines the feasibility of using electric powered vehicles in urban freight transport from a carrier's perspective, including their attitudes towards electric freight vehicles (EFVs) and all relevant elements affecting this business case, such as: technological features, existing restricting and promoting policies, financial and non-financial incentives, type of operations, urban settings and logistics organization. We look at the business cases for different truck sizes, varying from small vans to large trucks, in relation to the logistics requirements. This contribution combines the relevant urban freight transport solution directions: technology (both for the vehicle and the supporting IT), logistics and policy. The attitudes of the different EFVs user groups are also taken into account. Only if all these elements support each other, a feasible case can be possible at this moment. We look at the current business case and make conclusions on where it is necessary to act in the near future in order to increase an uptake of electric freight vehicles. For this analysis we use the data collected from current demonstrations that are actually running in the European FP7 project FREVUE, which includes over 100 electric-powered vehicles in the cities of Amsterdam, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Oslo, Rotterdam, and Stockholm. This data includes operational, attitudinal and financial data for the before situation in which conventional vehicles were used and for the first year(s) where electric vehicles were operated.