Road map for electrification of last-mile urban freight vehicles; case study of three Indian cities - Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Surat

Abstract

Urban freight movement is estimated to contribute to about 25% of greenhouse gas emissions and demand 12% of the world's fuel energy. The transition to electric mobility is an opportunity for India to addresses issues like an increase in GHG emissions, deteriorating air quality and dependency on oil imports. However, the transition to electric freight vehicles (EFVs) from conventional ICE vehicles will be challenging considering the market limitations in the supply of electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, and consumer preference due to the limited operating range and payload of EV batteries. The attempt in this paper is to identify the stakeholders and their choices, and the barriers to electrification. The research is based on the study of urban freight movements linked to textile markets in Ahmedabad and Surat, and the fruit and vegetable (F&V) market in Delhi. A willingness to shift survey of operators has been carried out to identify the impact of various financial and/or infrastructure incentives on the faster transition from ICE vehicles to electric vehicles and its associated economic benefits. The paper also articulates a roadmap for the faster adoption of EFVs.