This study investigates the feasibility of long-haul electric truck (e-truck) adoption as a competitive alternative to diesel trucks from a truck carrier’s point of view, which can shed light on policy to boost e-truck adoption for policy makers. Specifically, we propose a total operating cost optimization model called an e-truck routing and driver scheduling problem with coordinated charging schedule (eTRDSP-CS) to find optimal charging schedules – when and where to charge – for long-haul e-trucks. We then apply it to four interstate corridors of various distances in the U.S. highway system and compare the operating cost and energy use with the diesel truck counterparts. The results show that while it is technologically feasible to facilitate long-haul e-truck operation on the interstate highways, the prolonged journey time (between 16 and 32 %) due to charging and the high initial adoption cost remain key obstacles for adoption from a fleet carrier’s point of view. Every hour of revenue time requires an additional 19 to 25 min for charging (non-revenue time). On the other hand, long-haul e-truck provides over 43 % energy saving from diesel truck, which has significant implications for environmental sustainability.
[TL:DR – Its feasible, but not practical.]
Thanks to the Mobility Matters blog for finding this.
Be careful if you wish to apply the conclusions from that paper to the UK and, to a similar, but lesser vein to Europe. In the US trucks are generally weight constrained. They run out of permitted weight before volume. Whereas in the UK and in some of Europe, with a higher maximum weight than the US, volume is an issue. Also, in the UK specifically, distances hauled are lower and at a lower speed.
Therefore in the US heavier trucks are unlikely to gain widespread use. In the UK there may be a market for them.