An Operational planning framework for electric vehicle integration in road freight transportation: a literature-based approach

Abstract

Road freight transportation remains highly dependent on fossil fuels, exposing freight systems to fuel price volatility, supply disruptions, and energy security risks. Electric vehicles offer a potential pathway to reduce this dependence while also supporting emission reduction objectives. However, their integration into freight systems is not determined by vehicle availability alone, as operational feasibility depends on the interaction between vehicle capability, freight service requirements, charging conditions, economic viability, policy and market readiness, and real-world operating conditions. This study develops a literature-based factor-to-operational-parameter framework for electric vehicle integration in road freight transportation. A structured scoping synthesis of recent road freight electrification literature was conducted, focusing on studies related to electric freight vehicles, logistics system electrification, electric vehicle routing, charging infrastructure, energy consumption, total cost of ownership, and adoption barriers. The extracted factors were classified according to their primary role in the integration decision and mapped to the operational planning parameters they affect. The synthesis identifies six planning dimensions: vehicle and technology, freight operation, charging and energy, economic, policy, market and institutional, and route and operating condition factors. These dimensions jointly influence technical feasibility, operational suitability, charging requirements, financial viability, deployment readiness, and operational robustness. The proposed framework provides a structured basis for future feasibility assessment, route selection, charging planning, fleet transition modelling, and policy discussion in electric road freight systems.