Potential analysis of electric vehicle road sweepers in Germany

Transportation is often referred to as an early adopter market for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) [1]. This paper seeks to analyse driving profiles of conventional road sweepers collected in the German showcase project 'Umweltfreundliche Kommunalfahrzeuge' [2]. The analysis aims at determining PEV-potentials and estimating the influence of different factors on the economic and technical potential of electric road sweeper vehicles. We conclude that road sweeper vehicles can economically be electrified in the year 2020. In favorable conditions range extended electric vehicles (REEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) can substitute every second conventional road sweeper. However it becomes apparent, when varying the input parameters of our estimates, the economic potential is very sensitive to vehicle prices, consumption and maintenance costs.