Feasibility Study for Adoption of Electric Mobility- Roadmap for electrification of urban intra city freight A case of Ahmedabad

Dhvani Sanghvi, Shivanand Swamy, Mr. Khelan Modi, Mr. Dennis Jose

The objective is to understand and analyse the feasibility of electric urban freight vehicles in the city of Ahmedabad. The document looks upon the different types of vehicle used, the electric propulsion system used, infrastructure and the future prospects of the system. The paper analyses the impact of electric freight vehicles perceived advantage over the conventional ICE vehicles, from the consumers perspective, on their decision to choose electric vehicles. Data is obtained from a stated preference survey from 178 single as well as multiple fleet owners (i.e. drivers and transporters) in major textile markets of Ahmedabad. The collected data is used to evaluate an integrated choice of an electric vehicle with the help of a discrete choice model, which include the perceived advantage of electric vehicles in the form of variables (i.e. purchase cost, operation and maintenance cost) in the utility function. The model is used to simulate the effects of various policies to promote electric vehicles on different cohorts (i.e. goods autos up to 0.5 ton and goods LCVs up to 0.75 ton). Thereafter, the model estimation results are presented in terms of scenarios and the findings are compared with prior studies. The developed scenarios are then used to simulate the economic and financial analysis and the results are reported further. At last, the highlights of the study are summarized in the conclusion section (i.e. EV road map, strategies).

Feasibility Study of Electrification of Urban Freight in Surat

Nausheenbanu Chhipa, Shivanand Swamy, Gautam Patel, Hiren Jjoshi;Nirav joshi

Daily 21,735 freight trips are made within the city to the textile market in Surat. Due to factors like environmental benefits, economic growth and individual benefits such as reduced O&M cost and longer vehicle life, the idea for electrification of urban freight vehicles was adopted as the freight sector is under constant demand in the active textile market of Surat. Goods auto and LCVs were targeted as they are the dominant freight vehicles being used in the textile market currently. Primary surveys of single to small fleet owners were carried out to understand the current freight vehicle model demand in the market and how many were willing to shift to electric freight vehicles under different scenarios. This was done by estimating the percentage shift towards electric freight vehicles for the targeted group (single to small fleet owners) by doing discrete choice modelling in IBM SPSS. Based on the utility equation formed, different scenarios such as no subsidy, subsidy, fuel hike and others were developed to understand the sensitivity of shift to electric vehicles in relation to the attributes like purchase and O&M cost. Environment, economic and financial analysis and charging infrastructure requirement for each of the scenario was calculated. Based on the IRR, NPV and percentage shift to electric vehicles, potential scenarios were selected and suitable strategies to achieve the targets were proposed. Followed with this, a road map to achieve this shift and implement this project was drafted.

Roadmap for Electrification of Urban Freight Vehicles- New Delhi

Yamini Khurana, Shivanand Swamy, Khelan Modi, Gautam Patel, Hiren Joshi, Nirav Joshi

In recent years across India, national and state governments have released schemes and policies to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. Most of these documents are however limited to the electrification of public transport (buses), passenger 3-wheelers, and 2-wheelers. Freight vehicles in urban environments produce more emissions than those that carry passengers alone (ICLEI, 2020). In New Delhi, in 2015, a 2.3% share of LCVs contributed to 29.2% of PM2.5 levels. (Info, 2020). Delhi is one of the fastest-growing cities in terms of population and economy. With an increase in either, the demand for delivery of goods and services will increase. It is important to look forward to electrifying this sector. Hence, the objective of this report is to conduct a feasibility study for the adoption of electric urban freight vehicles while understanding the barriers and opportunities on this transition journey considering the current and proposed market developments. Urban freight movement involves multiple vehicles with varying capacity, and space design, and based on the goods, spatial supply chain movement differs. Due to the current limitations of EFVs in terms of vehicle design (paying load capacity & battery size), a feasibility study is limited to a single commodity (Fruits and Vegetables). Urban freight vehicles have not really been looked into for the possibility of electrification. This study can be used by planners and stakeholders to possibly identify that with right awareness and subsidy, these vehicles could be like the low hanging fruits for the electrification market.

Detailed Feasibility Study for Freight Management, Surat

Studio work from CEPT Masters' students

Efficient flow of goods is essential for the effective functioning of the economy. Since the transportation of goods grows with economic growth, the planning for the movement of goods needs to be given great focus. The efficiency of goods movement determines the competitiveness of urban areas and has an impact on the costs of products, congestion, energy consumption etc. This studio attempted to define urban freight, analyse the inter‐urban freight movements and analyse the impact of freight generators on the neighbourhood and the road network and also summarises the issues to be addressed. Surat is the hub of manufacturing, wholesale trade and diamond polishing. Goods vehicles volume of as high as 2.8 lakhs trips were recorded in the study area. The issues faced included parking issues, pollution, congestion etc. which were meticulously analysed. Transporters suffered due to poor freight management and high empty vehicles trips. Absence of planned transport terminals/ logistic hubs added to the misery.

The textile industry in Surat contributes to about 39% of goods vehicle movement. The analysis of the supply chain revealed that the textile manufacturing process is complex and has different stages. Textile commodities have to travel back & forth within the city many times as the power looms, processing units and consolidation centres are located in different parts of the city. This results in unproductive vehicle trips causing safety issues, pollution and increased costs for the industry. The final outcome was proposals on activity locations, provision of warehousing facilities, freight only corridor etc.

Review and Recommendations of the Approval and Licensing Process for setting up Cold Storages in Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)

Rituraj Sarma; Mr. Gordon Telling

This report mapped the approval and licensing mechanism of cold storages (the selected logistics infrastructure) in DMIC and provide recommendations for streamlining the process. The logistics sector has a very significant involvement of the private sector and is controlled by the regulations of the government. The logistics sector in India is quite fragmented and has a very uneven growth. India has a rapidly booming economy, but the growth of the logistics infrastructure would not be able to cater to the logistics demand by 2030. Hence, the logistics infrastructure needs urgent attention and intervention. The project has highlighted several ways in which the system of setting up of cold storages can be made more investor friendly. These methods are applicable not only for the DMIC but entire India. It can be seen that states like Uttar Pradesh have made good progress. Uttar Pradesh was considered an Aspiring Leader in 2018 EODB rankings, however, it has earned one of the best scores in terms of the setting up of cold storages. Delhi needs to quickly incorporate changes in order to build a more investor- friendly ecosystem. Reefer transportation sector should be quite a focus sector for India in terms of a complete cold chain as India significantly lacks reefer transportation facilities. This would enable an unbroken cold chain from the farm to the consumer.

Urban Freight Logistics of the 21st Century: Towards circular and digitally enabled business models

Nausheenbanu Chhipa

This research project focuses on how circularity can be adopted in logistics supply chains and how technology can enable ease of doing this business to ensure optimal functioning of the supply chain along with increase in profitability. This was done by targeting a supply chain and analysing its current scenario along with the quantification of time consumed and cost incurred. While the supply chain characteristics are different for different commodities, based on a brief study, supply chain of export of Tractors from Dadri ICD to Adani Mundra port was targeted for further studies. Major gaps and opportunities of the existing scenarios were listed and studied followed by assessment through inward and outward benchmarking so as to find the most effective and efficient supply chain solution in the current scenario and other potential practices that could be explored further for upgradation. Followed by this, alternate scenarios were proposed by adopting circular practices pertaining to optimal utilization of existing resources, collaborative practices and reverse logistics. This included adopting digitization (majorly block chain) and standardization (majorly packaging) into the proposed scenarios to ensure the ease of doing business.

Research Thesis

Choice of Mode for Freight Transport - Rail v/s Road

Vaishali Rathod, Gautam Patel

The main purpose of the freight transport is to move goods in bulk quantity. In different country, freight is transported through various mode. But, In India maximum of the freight is transported by the rail and road. Road transportation has grown rapidly in India. The positive effect of Road development is it is providing a good connectivity and services to the people, it also forces the development in surrounding area but the negative effect is, due to road development increase the private vehicle operators on road. This has increase private motorized vehicles, increase dependency on petroleum products, increase air and noise pollution, increase highway accidents rate. In India, since 1951 Road development has taken place, road length in Km has been gradually increase and as the increase the road development, vehicular growth on the road has been also increase. In addition, when in 1980 Trucking was deregulated, many private vehicles operators come on road resulted railway major. freight traffic has shift to the roadways and Indian railways was started losing their share in the market. The purpose of this dissertation was to understand the importance of Rail freight transport and its importance in rail economy. This study has help to identify the issues/challenges related to rail freight transport and the possibilities that can improve the rail freight transport.

Assessing the Relocation Plan of Markets away from the City Centre – A Case in Aurangabad City

Sneha Mohan, Nitika Bhakuni

Urban Markets are the opportunity spaces which can boost the productivity and have a strong potential in contributing to the city’s economic development. They also open up a wide range of employment opportunities in the cities. Markets involving trade and commerce has been touted as an important tool in the path to development. Trading activities reflects the image of a city and mark their historical developments. There is a tendency of increasing trade of goods and services in order to meet the growing needs of a city. Food supply and distribution system play a vital role in boosting the economic development. With the augment in population, there is a growing demand for food that rural and peri-urban areas may not be able to supply. Also, the existing market, storage and transport infrastructure do not suffice the growing demands. Thus, proper measures should be taken to ensure a continuous supply of food in the city.

Aurangabad City faces the issues of congestion in its city centre majorly because of the inbound and outbound freight traffic. To enable the city to fulfil the food requirements, managing the city logistics becomes important. Logistics cost in India account for 10-13% of the GDP while the freight transport accounts for 35% of total logistics cost. Goods vehicle and operating costs contribute 5- 8% of the total metropolitan city tax revenue. This research is conducted with an objective of assessing the relocation plan of wholesale markets from city centre. The study has helped to understand the drawbacks and gaps in the implementation process. The research studies the dynamics of the existing activities and draws conclusions on whether the existing operation of the markets has improved or aggravated the problems of freight movement in the city.