Charging Infrastructure for Commercial Electric Vehicles: Challenges and Future Works

Abstract

The journey towards transportation electrification started with small electric vehicles (i.e., electric cars), which have enjoyed an increasing level of global interest in recent years. Electrification of commercial vehicles (e.g., trucks) seems to be a natural progression of this journey, and many commercial vehicle manufacturers have shifted their focus on medium-and heavy-duty vehicle electrification over the last few years. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review and analysis of the existing works presented in the literature on commercial vehicle charging. The paper starts with a brief discussion on the significance of commercial vehicle electrification, especially heavy-and medium-duty vehicles. The paper then reviews two major charging strategies for commercial vehicles, namely the return-to-base model and the on route charging model. Research challenges related to the return-to-base model are then analysed in detail. Next, different methods to charge commercial vehicles on route during their driving cycles are summarized. The paper then analyzes the challenging issues related to charging commercial vehicles at public charging stations. Future works relevant to these challenges are highlighted. Finally, the possibility of accommodating vehicle to grid technology for commercial vehicles is discussed.INDEX TERMS Commercial electric vehicles, electric trucks, return-to-base model, smart charging system, charging infrastructure.

Green Routing Game: Strategic Logistical Planning using Mixed Fleets of ICEVs and EVs

“…demand) from an origin node to a common destination node. The players share a common EV charging infrastructure (specialized for heavy duty vehicles [19]) that is deployed over a parallel route network; see Fig. 1.…”

An Optimal Charging Solution for Commercial Electric Vehicles

“…Recent improvements in lithium battery technology, the potential benefits of electric trucks (ETs) over their life cycle, and government incentives supporting zero-emission vehicles have made commercial electric vehicles (CEVs) technically and economically viable [8]. This has motivated several truck manufacturers to announce promising plans to electrify their production of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles [9]. Moreover, many logistics companies, such as DHL, Walmart Inc, Amazon, Anheuser-Busch, and FedEx have started integrating ETs into their fleets [10], [11].…”

“…Generally, CEVs are classified according to their gross vehicle weights into light-duty CEVs (< 3.5 tonnes), mediumduty (3.5 to 15 tonnes), and heavy-duty CEVs (> 15 tonnes). These CEVs can be used in a wide variety of applications ranging from long-haul applications, such as regional freight CEVs, to vocational work applications, such as urban freight CEVs [9]. In this paper, we target the types of CEVs utilized in urban vocational work applications, such as urban cargo, freight, and delivery applications.…”

“…1 [16]. In a return-to-base strategy, CEVs should have heavy battery banks that accommodate changes to operational schedules over time, including multi-shift operations and seasonal deviations [9], [17]. However, this large-size battery bank impacts the payload of CEVs and requires a high-power charging infrastructure to be installed in the facility.…”

“…CEV charging at fast charging stations requires large power demands as compared to passenger light-duty vehicles [9]. This large demand can significantly impact the stability of electric networks [45]- [50].…”