Adopting a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach to Identify Barriers to Electrification of Urban Freight in India

Abstract

The economics and social development of cities depend heavily on urban freight. But, despite its obvious benefits, freight transportation has substantial negative externalities. The electrification of urban freight could help mitigate these. However, there exists a paucity of literature on barriers to the adoption of electric freight in the context of developing countries such as India. The present study intends to bridge this gap. It aims to identify the barriers to the adoption of electric freight vehicles (light commercial vehicles) in urban areas by using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique. Based on the opinion of 32 experts, it was found that high capital costs, low driving range, and long charging times are the major obstacles to the adoption of electric freight vehicles in India. The results from the present study will assist government officials in identifying bottlenecks and prioritizing strategies for the promotion of electric freight vehicles in India.