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Publication Detailed Description
Enhancing sustainable last-mile delivery: The impact of electric vehicles and AI optimization on urban logistics
Journal Title
World Electric Vehicle Journal
Year (definitive publication)
2025
Language
English
Country
Switzerland
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Abstract
The rapid growth of e-commerce has intensified the need for efficient and sustainable last-mile delivery solutions in urban environments. This paper explores the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) and artificial intelligence (AI) into a combined framework to enhance the environmental, operational, and economic performance of urban logistics. Through a comprehensive literature review, we examine current trends, technological developments, and implementation challenges at the intersection of smart mobility, green logistics, and digital transformation. We propose an operational framework that leverages AI for route optimization, fleet coordination, and energy management in EV-based delivery networks. This framework is validated through a real-world case study conducted in Lisbon, Portugal, where a logistics provider implemented a city consolidation center model supported by AI-driven optimization tools. Using key performance indicators—including delivery time, energy consumption, fleet utilization, customer satisfaction, and CO₂ emissions—we measure the pre- and post-AI deployment impacts. The results demonstrate significant improvements across all metrics, including a 15–20% reduction in delivery time, a 10–25% gain in energy efficiency, and up to a 40% decrease in emissions. The findings confirm that the synergy between EVs and AI provides a robust and scalable model for achieving sustainable last-mile logistics, supporting broader urban mobility and climate objectives.
Acknowledgements
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Keywords
Sustainable last-mile delivery,Electric vehicles (EVs),Urban logistics,Artificial intelligence (AI)
Fields of Science and Technology Classification
- Civil Engineering - Engineering and Technology
- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering - Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical Engineering - Engineering and Technology
Português