Moving toward green mobility: overview and analysis of electric vehicle selection, Pakistan a case in point

Abstract

Environmental concerns are on the rise around the world, as carbon emissions are increasing rapidly and which is one of the leading causes of global warming. These emissions come from different sectors but the biggest contribution comes from the transport sector. As countermeasures, countries are shifting toward electric vehicles, which are much greener modes of transportation. Currently, different types of electric vehicles are available in the market. The selection of a viable type of electric vehicle for a developing country like Pakistan needs proper evaluation. In this study, two techniques are used. Firstly, fuzzy Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) approach is used for the selection of a suitable vehicle for the future market of Pakistan. Secondly, fuzzy linear programming is used to check the viability of electric vehicles in the current market scenario. Using these techniques, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is selected as the most advantageous vehicle for Pakistan’s future market and the hybrid electric vehicle comes out as the best alternative for the current market. The techniques and the case study of Pakistan are the main novelty of this study, as no literature exists on electric vehicles with these methods on Pakistan’s perspective. Based on the results, different recommendations are given to the policymakers of Pakistan. The recommended policies could make electric vehicles a prime competitor to the combustion vehicles in the current and future markets.