Fleet Transition from Combustion to Electric Vehicles: A Case Study in a Portuguese Business Campus

Pinto, Bruno; Barata, Filipe; Soares, Constantino; Viveiros, Carla · 2020 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.3390/en13051267

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Summary

This paper investigates the technical and financial implications of transitioning a corporate vehicle fleet from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles (EVs), using a Portuguese business campus as a case study. The research is motivated by the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions, which account for 40% of urban circulation emissions in Europe, and to address the challenges of integrating electromobility into existing energy infrastructures. While Portugal is in an early stage of EV market development, the study aims to provide a framework for companies to understand the impact of fleet electrification on electrical installations, load diagrams, and operational costs, thereby facilitating a smoother transition and reducing dependency on the public grid. The methodology involved a multi-step analysis of the Instituto Soldadura e Qualidade (ISQ) campus. First, the existing electrical consumption profile was recorded using power analyzers over six months to establish baseline load diagrams and available power margins. Second, a specific EV model was selected to meet business requirements, and its daily charging profile was measured. Third, these charging profiles were simulated against the global consumption data to assess technical and financial consequences. The study also analyzed the Portuguese regulatory framework, including incentives managed by MOBI.E, and compared acquisition and usage costs between combustion and electric vehicles over a four-year period, considering both definitive acquisition and renting modalities. The transition proposal was structured into three phases: a pilot phase with four vehicles to leverage tax benefits, a second phase transitioning 50% of the fleet (225 vehicles) with initial charging infrastructure, and a final phase achieving 100% electrification while maximizing transformer capacity. The findings indicate that transitioning to EVs is financially advantageous for passenger vehicles but less so for light commercial vehicles due to similar tax environments. For passenger cars, the total cost of ownership over four years was significantly lower for EVs (e.g., €35,677 for an E-Golf vs. €57,043 for a diesel Golf) compared to combustion equivalents. However, for light commercial vehicles, renting diesel options remained cheaper than acquiring electric ones. The study also detailed the costs of charging infrastructure, estimating installation costs between €1,500 and €4,000 per station and highlighting standby consumption issues. Technically, the integration of EV charging requires careful management of load diagrams to avoid overloading the existing grid, necessitating potential upgrades or smart grid adjustments. The significance of this work lies in its practical guidance for corporate fleet managers and policymakers in regions with emerging EV markets. It demonstrates that while EV adoption offers substantial environmental and economic benefits for passenger fleets, specific barriers remain for commercial vehicles. The study underscores the importance of local policy instruments, such as charging infrastructure availability and targeted financial incentives, in accelerating adoption. By providing a detailed cost-benefit analysis and technical assessment of grid impact, the paper contributes to the broader understanding of how businesses can effectively navigate the transition to sustainable mobility, supporting the European Union’s goals for renewable energy integration and emission reduction.

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• fleet safety