Abstract:

There is a high potential for the use of electric vehicles in commercial transport. Commercial transport is seen as early adopter of electric mobility. But there is lack of knowledge regarding the use of battery electric vehicles for commercial transportation and potential user groups. The authors outline a reliable and cost effective methodology to identify vehicles that can be substituted by battery electric vehicles in corporate fleets – technologically and economically efficient. This study analyzed statistical data to identify economic sectors that might suit for electric mobility and conducted an online survey with fleet managers of these sectors to gain knowledge about driving patterns and their attitude towards the use of BEV. The authors did a GPS data tracking of a few corporate fleets to see if there were any suitable substitutes. This research was carried out in Austria and Germany. The authors provide a framework and discuss algorithmic concepts for fleet management systems geared for mixed and electrified fleets. Finally, the authors derive recommendations for stakeholders such as policy makers, vehicle manufacturers, service providers and corporate fleet operators. The survey revealed that driving range of battery electric vehicles already comply daily mileage requirements with a high extent within Germany nursing companies and pharmacies. Furthermore, the attitude of the interrogated fleet managers towards the use of BEV is mostly positive but detailed knowledge about BEV and driving patterns of the own vehicles is lacking. Finally, the GPS data tracking could proof high potentials for BEV in these economic sectors. A further step in the analysis of potentials for the use of EVs in commercial transport is the combination of user acceptance studies and TCO analysis.