Electrifying last-mile deliveries: A carbon footprint comparison between internal combustion engine and electric vehicles

Abstract

Last-mile management distribution is a growing challenge in big cities that affects to quality of life of many citizens. A way to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and congestion, as well as to promote and develop Smart Cities, is electrifying urban distribution by means of electric tricycles. This article evaluates the GHG of a tricycle logistics company (B-Line) in downtown Portland, OR. The goal is to analyze carbon footprint potential savings between electric tricycle last-mile distribution against a traditional diesel-powered van system. Real-world GPS and warehouse data were collected to assess B-Line operations. Results show a huge GHG emissions reduction, being tricycle logistic system twice more efficient that the traditional one.