Energy Economization Using Connectivity-Based Eco-Routing and Driving for Fleet of Battery Electric Vehicles

Energy economizing using Connectivity-based eco-Routing and Driving (CeRD) is a key to conserve the resources of a fleet. This work takes maximum advantage by advising optimal energy-consumption-based route and velocity. Product delivery to several universities by a group of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is considered. Problem contains certain constraints, i.e., BEV load capacity, time window, resources restriction, speed bounds, battery charging/discharging limits, and traffic. Simulation of urban mobility (SUMO) is used for the estimation of traffic and routes. Selection of route is based on energy consumption of traffic's velocity. Dijkstra's algorithm is applied to select the route with least energy consumption, and Clarke and Wright (C&W) algorithm is used to find the optimal sequence of visiting universities. Pontryagin's minimum principle (PMP) is then applied to find the optimal velocity profiles for BEVs on the optimized routes. Results have shown 60%-70% reduction in energy consumption along with improvement in charging rates when compared with the vehicles without CeRD assistance in different scenarios. Furthermore, the results are validated for distance and time using online route planner, for energy efficiency using electric vehicles' database, and for energy consumptions using a driver model. CeRD has also improved 30% route distance and 40% trip time.