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Perspectives on Electrification for the Automotive Sector: A Critical Review of Average Daily Distances by Light-Duty Vehicles, Required Range, and Economic Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Bruno Dalla Chiara

    (Engineering, Department DIATI, Transport Systems, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Francesco Deflorio

    (Engineering, Department DIATI, Transport Systems, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Michela Pellicelli

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Pavia, Via San Felice 5, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Luca Castello

    (Engineering, Department DIATI, Transport Systems, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Marco Eid

    (Engineering, Department DIATI, Transport Systems, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

This paper aims at providing a multisource data analysis, including direct data collection, focussed on daily average distances covered with motorized mobility. Its results can be used as a basis for policies involving a shift towards new propulsions, electric motors or hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) for road vehicles. A number of variables influence the propensity of drivers to use electric traction, even the option of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). This paper addresses one of these variables: the compliancy of electric traction—regarding both hybrid plug-in solutions and full-electric vehicles, in addition to the autonomy of batteries (range)—with the daily travels by road vehicles, mainly by automobiles. We want to understand whether the constraints leading towards a greater independence from crude oil rather than constraints concerning emissions, mainly in urban contexts, might be compliant with the habitual daily trips of drivers. We also want to understand if these daily trips have varied much during recent years and the consequences they may have on operational costs of plug-in automobiles. After introducing a general overview of road-motorized mobility in Italy, the paper compares data from other studies to provide an indication of average daily driving distances. This reveals how different recent analyses converge on a limited range of average road distances covered daily by Italians, which is compliant with ranges allowed by electric batteries, provided that their low energy density in comparison with that of oil-derived fuels do not arrive to imply a significant increase in vehicle mass. Subsequently, average distances in some EU countries are taken from the literature, and the results are also compared with U.S. data. The study extends the analysis of trends on the use of automobiles and road-vehicles to the international context by also addressing average daily distances covered for freight transport in some EU countries, thereby providing a further basis for comparison and for understanding whether the daily motorized mobility can be considered as a stable phenomenon. Finally, an analysis is provided of the economic operational advantages from using plug-in vehicles.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Dalla Chiara & Francesco Deflorio & Michela Pellicelli & Luca Castello & Marco Eid, 2019. "Perspectives on Electrification for the Automotive Sector: A Critical Review of Average Daily Distances by Light-Duty Vehicles, Required Range, and Economic Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-35, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5784-:d:277965
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Tomáš Settey & Jozef Gnap & Dominika Beňová & Michal Pavličko & Oľga Blažeková, 2021. "The Growth of E-Commerce Due to COVID-19 and the Need for Urban Logistics Centers Using Electric Vehicles: Bratislava Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, May.
    3. Haber, Marc & Azaïs, Philippe & Genies, Sylvie & Raccurt, Olivier, 2023. "Stress factor identification and Risk Probabilistic Number (RPN) analysis of Li-ion batteries based on worldwide electric vehicle usage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 343(C).
    4. Krystian Pietrzak & Oliwia Pietrzak, 2020. "Environmental Effects of Electromobility in a Sustainable Urban Public Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-21, February.
    5. Srinivasa Raghavan, Seshadri, 2020. "Behavioral Realism of Plug-In Electric Vehicle Usage: Implications for Emission Benefits, Energy Consumption, and Policies," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt1rz000pf, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    6. Mohamed Azab, 2023. "Optimum Scenarios of EV Charging Infrastructure: A Case Study for the Saudi Arabia Market," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-22, July.
    7. Wojciech Cieslik & Filip Szwajca & Wojciech Golimowski & Andrew Berger, 2021. "Experimental Analysis of Residential Photovoltaic (PV) and Electric Vehicle (EV) Systems in Terms of Annual Energy Utilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-21, February.

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