Electric Vehicle for Last Mile Logistics

Abstract

The need for effective last-mile transportation options has increased due to the fast urban population growth. The potential of electric vehicles (EVs) as a sustainable last-mile logistics option is investigated in this study. We determine the benefits of EVs, such as lower emissions, lower operating costs, and improved accessibility, by looking at current trends and issues in urban mobility. The study examines case studies of effective EV deployments in different cities, emphasizing how they affect air quality, traffic congestion, and general urban sustainability. We also go over how last-mile delivery systems can be made more efficient by integrating smart technologies like charging infrastructure and route optimization. Our research indicates that electric cars can greatly improve urban last-mile transportation when backed by strong legislative frameworks and technological developments, helping to cleaner and more efficient cities

Introduction

Rapid urban population growth has increased the demand for efficient last-mile transportation, making electric vehicles (EVs) a promising sustainable solution. EVs offer benefits such as reduced emissions, lower operating costs, and enhanced accessibility, which contribute to improved urban air quality, decreased traffic congestion, and overall sustainability. Successful EV deployments in cities like Amsterdam and Oslo demonstrate these advantages, highlighting the importance of partnerships between manufacturers, logistics firms, and charging infrastructure providers to overcome challenges like high upfront costs and infrastructure gaps.

Integrating smart technologies, including real-time tracking, route optimization, AI, and machine learning, further boosts the efficiency of last-mile delivery by reducing energy use, shortening delivery times, and adapting to dynamic urban environments. Public transportation combined with convenient first- and last-mile options, potentially including autonomous vehicles, can enhance accessibility and reduce reliance on private cars.

The automotive industry is rapidly shifting toward EVs due to regulatory support and consumer demand, expanding EV model offerings and restructuring supply chains with an emphasis on battery technology. However, obstacles such as limited charging infrastructure, battery range and cost issues, and complex manufacturing networks remain. Overcoming these requires continued technological innovation, supportive legislation, and integrated smart solutions.

Conclusion

One important step in the direction of sustainable urban transportation is the incorporation of electric vehicles (EVs) into last-mile logistics. EVs are well-positioned to handle the urgent issues brought on by the fast urban population growth because of their advantages in terms of lower emissions, lower operating costs, and improved accessibility. Case studies from places like Amsterdam and Oslo show how EV adoption has real advantages, such as better air quality and less traffic. These effective deployments demonstrate how crucial it is for local governments, EV manufacturers, and logistics firms to work together to overcome obstacles like expensive upfront costs and inadequate charging infrastructure. Even though the adoption of EVs is expected to grow, there are still a number of obstacles that need to be overcome in order to reach their full potential. The creation of extensive charging networks and improvements in battery technology to increase efficiency and range are important concerns. Furthermore, in order to encourage the shift to electric fleets, supportive policy frameworks are necessary. A sustainable and effective transportation ecosystem will be shaped in large part by ongoing innovation and strategic alliances as the automotive sector develops. Cities can transition to last-mile delivery systems that are cleaner and more effective while also supporting larger sustainability objectives by adopting these changes.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Eklavya Aswani, Jatin Bajaj, Gaurav Mulchandani, Kunal Vasyani, Lata Upadhye. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.