Abstract
In recent decades, scientific interest has grown in tackling the vehicle routing problem with a sustainable approach (Green VRP). There are numerous studies in the literature addressing environmental problems from the point of view of efficient planning that allows visualizing the benefits associated with the use of the new technologies in electric vehicles. This paper focuses on the electric vehicle routing problem and considers the batteries’ state of charge (SoC). The problem considers a set of customers, where each one has a specific demand and a time window. Deliveries are performed through a homogeneous fleet of electric vehicles with a fixed charging capacity and limited autonomy. In particular, when the vehicle is traveling, it consumes an amount of energy proportional to the distance it travels; therefore, it must visit battery recharging stations to continue and complete its route. The objective is to determine the performed routes with the minimum cost (time), while seeking to visit the recharging stations as many times as possible. In this way, overcharging and deep discharges are avoided by protecting the battery from degradation. In this paper, four models are proposed: the first model requires that the battery be fully charged in the stations; the second model allows partial recharging; the third formulation limits deep discharge; and a fourth formulation adheres to a limitation associated with overcharging and tries to keep the battery in its most comfortable place. The efficiency of the proposed formulations is tested in structured instances of different sizes. The results obtained show the efficiency of the formulations proposed for the electric vehicle routing problem when considering battery degradation.
Highlights
Green logistics seeks to optimize processes and to reduce or efficiently dispose of waste, reducing the pressure humans exert on the planet and its resources [1]
To graphically and in detail represent the impact of partial recharge and the constraints that limit battery state of charge (SoC), was considered
We considered the existing instances in the literature proposed by Schneider et al
Summary
Green logistics seeks to optimize processes and to reduce or efficiently dispose of waste, reducing the pressure humans exert on the planet and its resources [1]. It seeks to position companies in the market through policies focused on reducing their environmental impact, combining their interests with sustainable thinking within its development plan. 20% of the emissions to the atmosphere, and three-quarters of this proportion, is emitted by land transport. This situation has led to substantial research interest in finding mechanisms based on ecological transport to reduce pollutant emissions. Among the existing alternatives to address these environmental issues related to routing (the green vehicle routing problem, VRP), models have been developed based on fleets of vehicles with alternative fuels [3]
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