Abstract
This paper addresses the problem of route planning for a fleet of electric vehicles departing from a depot and supplying customers with certain goods. This paper aims to present a permutation-based method of vehicle route coding adapted to the specificity of electric drive. The developed method integrated with an evolutionary algorithm allows for rapid generation of routes for multiple vehicles taking into account the necessity of supplying energy in available charging stations. The minimization of the route distance travelled by all vehicles was taken as a criterion. The performed testing indicated satisfactory computation speed. A real region with four charging stations and 33 customers was analysed. Different scenarios of demand were analysed, and factors affecting the results of the proposed calculation method were indicated. The limitations of the method were pointed out, mainly caused by assumptions that simplify the problem. In the future, it is planned for research and method development to include the lapse of time and for the set of factors influencing energy consumption by a moving vehicle to be extended.
Highlights
Electric Vehicle Routing Problems (E-VRPs) examined in the literature often take into account many additional aspects, including maximum vehicle battery capacity, maximum range per charge, charging time, and infrastructure parameters such as charging station availability [2]
The charging time from 80 to 100% is so long that during a working day, it is more cost-effective to charge the batteries more frequently to the 80% level than to charge them less frequently to the 100% level. Models that take these aspects into account are called Electric Vehicle Routing Problems with Nonlinear (E-VRPNL) Charging Functions
The case study performed for north-western Poland concerned different scenarios of
Summary
In order to meet social, economic and environmental challenges and adjust to global trends, it is necessary to implement a coherent and sustainable program for the development of transport systems, including: increasing competitiveness through integrated logistical solutions covering various means of transport; application of technologies ensuring the reduction of fuel consumption and enabling the use of alternative energy sources; adjusting transport policy to energy policy, aimed at improving its efficiency and giving it a pro-environmental character; and reduction of greenhouse gases and noise. Electrically-powered vehicles are being promoted as a key factor in building a sustainable mobility system and there are indications that they will break the long-term dependence of mankind on internal combustion engines and diesel fuel as a means of meeting its transportation needs. Knowledge in the area of Vehicle Routing Problems (VRPs) that has been developed for decades has reached a new level that includes environmental aspects. This is part of a broader development trend, the so-called (in the literature) Green.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
