Optimizing energy and CO2 efficiency in last-mile delivery using hybrid fleet models

Effective urban delivery systems demand innovative approaches to reduce energy use and lower CO2. This study compares the environmental performance of hybrid and diesel trucks with quadcopter and fixed-wing remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), employing a multi-objective optimization approach n...

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Main Authors: Armin Mahmoodi, Leila Hashemi, Jeremy Laliberte, Seyed Mojtaba Sajadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Sustainable Futures
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006537
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author Armin Mahmoodi
Leila Hashemi
Jeremy Laliberte
Seyed Mojtaba Sajadi
author_facet Armin Mahmoodi
Leila Hashemi
Jeremy Laliberte
Seyed Mojtaba Sajadi
author_sort Armin Mahmoodi
collection DOAJ
description Effective urban delivery systems demand innovative approaches to reduce energy use and lower CO2. This study compares the environmental performance of hybrid and diesel trucks with quadcopter and fixed-wing remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), employing a multi-objective optimization approach non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) to identify optimal delivery routes balancing operational efficiency and sustainability. Given that existing solutions like e-bikes or electric vans may not be feasible everywhere, this research evaluates different vehicle types under various urban delivery scenarios. Using a synthetic dataset that simulates realistic conditions, the findings reveal that fixed-wing RPAS excel in long-range efficiency, while quadcopters perform better in short-range deliveries. Hybrid trucks are advantageous for larger loads, reducing emissions compared to diesel trucks. The results highlight key trade-offs in energy use and emissions, advocating for a mixed-fleet strategy tailored to specific logistics needs. This study provides actionable insights for sustainable urban freight planning and policymaking.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2666-1888
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
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series Sustainable Futures
spelling doaj-art-c4062b0655524c0897da8a5c7cf6aadb2025-08-20T03:43:55ZengElsevierSustainable Futures2666-18882025-12-011010108910.1016/j.sftr.2025.101089Optimizing energy and CO2 efficiency in last-mile delivery using hybrid fleet modelsArmin Mahmoodi0Leila Hashemi1Jeremy Laliberte2Seyed Mojtaba Sajadi3PhD Candidate and Research associate in aerospace engineering, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada; Corresponding author.Ph.D. Student in Aerospace Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, CanadaProfessor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, CanadaAssistant Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Simulation, Operations and Information Management Department, Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET UKEffective urban delivery systems demand innovative approaches to reduce energy use and lower CO2. This study compares the environmental performance of hybrid and diesel trucks with quadcopter and fixed-wing remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), employing a multi-objective optimization approach non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) to identify optimal delivery routes balancing operational efficiency and sustainability. Given that existing solutions like e-bikes or electric vans may not be feasible everywhere, this research evaluates different vehicle types under various urban delivery scenarios. Using a synthetic dataset that simulates realistic conditions, the findings reveal that fixed-wing RPAS excel in long-range efficiency, while quadcopters perform better in short-range deliveries. Hybrid trucks are advantageous for larger loads, reducing emissions compared to diesel trucks. The results highlight key trade-offs in energy use and emissions, advocating for a mixed-fleet strategy tailored to specific logistics needs. This study provides actionable insights for sustainable urban freight planning and policymaking.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006537Last-mile logisticsVehicle routing problemMulti-objective optimizationCO2 emissionNSGA-II algorithmEnergy efficiency
spellingShingle Armin Mahmoodi
Leila Hashemi
Jeremy Laliberte
Seyed Mojtaba Sajadi
Optimizing energy and CO2 efficiency in last-mile delivery using hybrid fleet models
Sustainable Futures
Last-mile logistics
Vehicle routing problem
Multi-objective optimization
CO2 emission
NSGA-II algorithm
Energy efficiency
title Optimizing energy and CO2 efficiency in last-mile delivery using hybrid fleet models
title_full Optimizing energy and CO2 efficiency in last-mile delivery using hybrid fleet models
title_fullStr Optimizing energy and CO2 efficiency in last-mile delivery using hybrid fleet models
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing energy and CO2 efficiency in last-mile delivery using hybrid fleet models
title_short Optimizing energy and CO2 efficiency in last-mile delivery using hybrid fleet models
title_sort optimizing energy and co2 efficiency in last mile delivery using hybrid fleet models
topic Last-mile logistics
Vehicle routing problem
Multi-objective optimization
CO2 emission
NSGA-II algorithm
Energy efficiency
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825006537
work_keys_str_mv AT arminmahmoodi optimizingenergyandco2efficiencyinlastmiledeliveryusinghybridfleetmodels
AT leilahashemi optimizingenergyandco2efficiencyinlastmiledeliveryusinghybridfleetmodels
AT jeremylaliberte optimizingenergyandco2efficiencyinlastmiledeliveryusinghybridfleetmodels
AT seyedmojtabasajadi optimizingenergyandco2efficiencyinlastmiledeliveryusinghybridfleetmodels