Abstract:

The technical feasibility of electrified powertrains has already been demonstrated through several simulation and prototyping efforts. The economic feasibility of advanced powertrains for trucks has not yet been fully analyzed as it depends on a very large number of parameters. In the commercial truck market any technology will have to be economically viable for achieving wider acceptance by fleets. There are several examples of battery or fuel-cell-powered trucks used by fleets, but most of these vehicles are either part of technical demonstrations or incentivized by government agencies. Wider acceptance of trucks with advanced electrified powertrains will be possible when they achieve performance and economic parity with conventional vehicles. This paper examines the sensitivity of total ownership cost (TCO) for medium and heavy-duty electric trucks with respect to battery and fuel costs. The results will help identify cost targets for battery packs for various types of trucks and will also highlight use cases where we are likely to see early adoption of these technologies. This study highlights the need for additional research by considering real-world use cases and explore how additional powertrains compare to conventional vehicles in the near future.