Feasibility study and supply chain optimization of LPG distribution system using electric vehicle

Abstract

With the growth of environmental awareness in environmental pollution and energy dearth, electric vehicle comes out as the emerging replacement for Internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). There is an increase in the market share of EVs worldwide due to them being environment friendly in aspects of carbon emission and minimal noise production. There are proven environmental benefits of use of EVs over ICEVs on environmental aspects. To study EVs benefits in light commercial sector, this research studies a comparison between an EV and an ICEV for LPG distribution in Indore city based on environmental and economic aspects, LPG distribution uses light commercial vehicles on frequent and regular basis. It further calculates the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for both types of vehicles for ten years. It also deals with studying the supply chain of the LPG distribution system in Indore city from warehouses to end customers. The data of around 2.25 lakh customers was created to develop this model. The delivery route was optimized using the constrained vehicle routing problem (CVRP), which was solved using the Simulated Annealing algorithm. The routes were optimized for EVs, and charging points were considered in the warehouses. Further ICEV and EV were compared on the optimized route based on the carbon footprints generated. The optimized route was also compared with a random clustering approach considering it as a present scenario. There are various approaches which traces the vehicle’s location on a predefined path or tracing of a vehicle on an instantaneous generated path. This thesis also consists of s novel approach which combines both predefined path and the path of instantaneous generated demands and traces the vehicle’s position on a constantly changing new path. This method helps in delivering the instantaneous generated demands and also connects inter-agency and intra-agency distributors.