Data needs and challenges for planning electric charging infrastructure for road freight

Abstract

To reduce the dependency on fossil fuels in the on-road freight sector, adopting vehicles utilizing alternative fuels, including electricity, requires large investments in infrastructure and distribution of fuels for refueling/charging facilities. Unique to the electric vehicles, journey length and charging time impose important constraints in the placement of charging stations. This research reviews the data needs and challenges in modeling infrastructure requirements, and the role of vehiclebased measurements in alleviating these obstacles, with a special focus on electrification of road freight. Our review shows that estimating energy demand using vehicle-based measurements of highly detailed operational conditions of the vehicles is particularly important for modeling electrified freight. We conclude with major research gaps and future data needs in modeling of electric freight transport.