Economic feasibility of electrified highways for heavy-duty electric trucks

Abstract

New solutions to decarbonization in the transport sector are prominently required to replace oil consumption. Full battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are usually limited to light duty and medium duty vehicles due to their limited battery energy density and cost. The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic feasibility of heavy-duty electric trucks that are supplemented by electrified highways (eHighways), instead of using conventional diesel trucks and full BEV trucks, and address the technical aspects of eHighways. The battery is the most expensive component of electric vehicles. The principle of eHighway is that electricity is supplied to electric vehicles directly from the electric grid as they travel along the road. The eHighway concept is being developed with two primary methods to convey the power source to the vehicle: conductive power transfer (CPT) where electric connection to the vehicle is provided through electric wires from above the vehicle and inductive power transfer that is in-motion wireless power transfer (WPT). If eHighways are installed on the major links that connect main cities, the eHighway technologies will be suitable for long-distance journeys. This research evaluates the applications of both CPT and in-motion WPT technologies. A case study is conducted, and various costs are calculated and analyzed. Results show that the driving cost (i.e. break even selling price of electricity) for a heavy-duty electric truck on the eHighway using CPT technology ranges from $ 0.242 to 0.666 per km and the driving cost of a heavy-duty electric truck on the eHighway using in-motion WPT technology ranges from $0.279 to 1.031 per km, depending on daily traffic volume. If fuel and vehicle prices evolve as predicted between now and 2050, eHighways could become an economically feasible form of road transport, especially for the heavy-duty trucks segment, resulting in energy savings and thus significant reductions in CO2 emissions. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate which parameters have a greater impact on the economic viability of the eHighway systems.