A Multi-criteria Assessment Framework for Zero-Emission Vehicles from a Customers’ Perspective

Abstract

On the basis of economic and user-relevant criteria, this paper proposes an assessment framework for zero-emission vehicles. This framework enables a transparent evaluation of different zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) from the perspective of (potential) customers, based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach for a multi-criteria decision analysis. The relevant criteria for the evaluation were derived from literature and from semi-structured interviews. These interviews were held with individuals having driving experience with both battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. An AHP survey was also conducted with ZEV drivers and ZEV-interested individuals for the criteria weights to be determined. Seven criteria were found to be particularly relevant for evaluating zero-emission vehicles: total cost, range, charging/refueling time, charging/refueling infrastructure availability, greenhouse gas emissions, spaciousness, and driving dynamics. The assessment framework includes value scores representing the degree to which a specific ZEV satisfies a given quality criterion. The proposed framework combines these scores with the criteria weights derived in the AHP. The framework is useful for the design of ZEVs by vehicle manufacturers.