Abstract:

In the EU, road transport accounted for 71.7% of CO2 emissions in the transport sector. To support the achievement of the social problems associated with freight transportation, a shift in the logistics sector in terms of environmental sustainability is needed. Unfortunately, policy approaches to congestion and pollution problems are mostly focused on people movement. The aim of this article is to examine potential developments in technological change in the field of sustainable logistics.  This paper explores the integration of electric vehicles in logistics operations executed through light commercial vehicles, taking into consideration, during the design phase of a new concept delivery van, the technical connections with the production systems and its possible applications also in areas other than urban. The results of the case study presented encourage the development of a type of vehicle with features not yet covered by the market and which are of particular relevance for sustainable logistics applied to small towns or small islands, which are widespread in Italy. The article, after analyzing the possible trends related to the technological change taking place in the field of sustainable logistics, showed the development phases of a new concept EDV.