A hybrid DEMATEL-COPRAS method using interval-valued probabilistic linguistic term set for sustainable hydrogen fuel cell supplier of new energy vehicles.

Abstract

With the continuous development of the global economy, global environmental pollution, climate degradation and global warming are becoming increasingly serious. In order to deal with the increasingly serious environmental problems, the government is vigorously supporting and promoting the development of new energy vehicles (NEVs). As the core unit of NEVs, one of the main challenges faced by hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) supplier is to select the best supplier for their business among all possible suppliers. Selecting the optimal supplier is a key decision in green supplier management. Therefore, it is extremely important and meaningful to select an optimal HFC supplier to provide power for NEVs. This paper proposes a new decision-making framework based on Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method and Complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) method under interval-valued probabilistic linguistic environment to select the appropriate HFC supplier of NEVs. Firstly, this paper establishes the evaluation criteria system of HFC supplier assessment which is the synthesis of economical, environmental, social, technical, organisation and service aspects. Then, in order to express the uncertainty of expert decision-making, this paper uses interval-valued probabilistic linguistic term set (IVPLTS) to describe the evaluation information. Next, the interval-valued probabilistic linguistic term set decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (IVPLTS-DEMATEL) method is applied to calculate the criteria weights. Moreover, this paper constructs the interval-valued probabilistic linguistic term set Complex Proportional Assessment (IVPLTS-COPRAS) model for the selection of HFC supplier of NEVs. Finally, a case in China with sensitivity analysis and comparison analysis are executed to illustrate the feasibility and validity of the proposed approach. This paper provides valuable references for investors and companies to select the most appropriate HFC supplier of NEVs under uncertain environment.