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Electric light commercial vehicles for a cleaner urban goods distribution. Are they cost competitive?

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  • Scorrano, Mariangela
  • Danielis, Romeo
  • Giansoldati, Marco

Abstract

The paper investigates the cost competitiveness of electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) with respect to their petrol and diesel counterparts. We develop a detailed total cost of ownership (TCO) model incorporating all relevant costs with special attention to account for variations in engine efficiency between urban and sub-urban trips and by seasons of the year. The model generates two metrics: the threshold purchase price and the threshold annual distance travelled, which are used to compare among propulsion systems and to perform policy scenarios. The model is applied to a large selection of LCVs models available in Europe as of June 2019. We find that eLCVs have on average a higher TCO/km than their conventional counterparts. Yet, the existing offer of eLCVs is differentiated and some eLCV models are cost competitive. We find that four eLCV models belonging to the city and panel segments are convenient relative to their diesel counterparts for daily distances travelled lower than 93 km. Nonetheless, with financial and regulatory incentives, 100% urban driving, and 100% home/depot charging, most of the existing city and panel eLCV models are cost competitive with respect to both their diesel and petrol counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Scorrano, Mariangela & Danielis, Romeo & Giansoldati, Marco, 2021. "Electric light commercial vehicles for a cleaner urban goods distribution. Are they cost competitive?," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:85:y:2021:i:c:s0739885920302201
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2020.101022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maxwell Woody & Shawn A. Adderly & Rushabh Bohra & Gregory A. Keoleian, 2024. "Electric and gasoline vehicle total cost of ownership across US cities," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(2), pages 194-215, April.
    2. Hao, Xu & Ou, Shiqi & Lin, Zhenhong & He, Xin & Bouchard, Jessey & Wang, Hewu & Li, Liguo, 2022. "Evaluating the current perceived cost of ownership for buses and trucks in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
    3. Gil Ribeiro, Carolina & Silveira, Semida, 2024. "The impact of financial incentives on the total cost of ownership of electric light commercial vehicles in EU countries," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    4. Tomáš Settey & Jozef Gnap & František Synák & Tomáš Skrúcaný & Marek Dočkalik, 2021. "Research into the Impacts of Driving Cycles and Load Weight on the Operation of a Light Commercial Electric Vehicle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-25, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Electric vehicle; Light commercial vehicle; Total cost of ownership; Threshold price; Urban goods distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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