Developing a Business Model for Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Abstract: The adoption of commercial electric vehicles (CEVs) is beginning to pick up traction by fleet operators and vehicle manufacturers. Carbon emission legislation, fuel prices and improving battery technology are ever-increasing the attractiveness of the business case for electric vehicles. CEVs represent a massive opportunity to reduce global transportation emissions, vehicle manufacturers to reach new customers, and fleet operators to reduce impact and increase efficiency. There are many commercial fleet applications that are advantageous for electric operation, but require charging solutions and strategy in order to ensure the CEV’s operational performance. Charging infrastructure is the essential complimentary component to providing CEVs. Research was conducted from a systematic perspective in order to identify challenges, barriers and opportunities for charging infrastructure integration into the vehicle fleet system. Some of the key challenges include issues such as range anxiety, grid integration and fleet optimization. Using these identified obstacles, potential business solutions are discussed and designed in order to alleviate pain-points and increase the attractiveness of electric vehicles in commercial operations. By leveraging Product Service System principles and the established business model canvas tool, this work provides a preliminary business model design around charging infrastructure in order to increase the adoption of CEVs by fleet operators. Key outcomes include the identification of pivotal electro-mobility and charging services needed for the chosen case, urban goods distribution.