Optimum routing of battery electric vehicles: Insights using empirical data and microsimulation

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Vol. 64; pp. 262 - 272
• Main Authors: Fiori, Chiara, Ahn, Kyoungho, Rakha, Hesham A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Eco-routing; Electric vehicles; Energy consumption; Regenerative braking energy efficiency; Energy consumption; Electric vehicles; Eco-routing; Regenerative braking energy efficiency
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2017.08.007

•GPS data are used to study the impact of route selection on BEVs.•A microscopic BEV energy recovery model was adopted.•Faster highway routes could increase BEV energy consumption.•BEVs and ICEVs have different fuel/energy-optimized traffic assignments.•Regenerated energy is affected by facility type, level of congestion and BEV energy efficiency. This study investigates the energy consumption impact of route selection on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) using empirical second-by-second Global Positioning System (GPS) commute data and traffic micro-simulation data. Drivers typically choose routes that reduce travel time and therefore travel cost. However, BEVs’ limited driving range makes energy efficient route selection of particular concern to BEV drivers. In addition, BEVs’ regenerative braking systems allow for the recovery of energy while braking, which is affected by route choices. State-of-the-art BEV energy consumption models consider a simplified constant regenerative braking energy efficiency or average speed dependent regenerative braking factors. To overcome these limitations, this study adopted a microscopic BEV energy consumption model, which captures the effect of transient behavior on BEV energy consumption and recovery while braking in a congested network. The study found that BEVs and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) had different fuel/energy-optimized traffic assignments, suggesting that different routings be recommended for electric vehicles. For the specific case study, simulation results indicate that a faster route could actually increase BEV energy consumption, and that significant energy savings were observed when BEVs utilized a longer travel time route because energy is regenerated. Finally, the study found that regenerated energy was greatly affected by facility types and congestion levels and also BEVs’ energy efficiency could be significantly influenced by regenerated energy.