Potential of Replacing Conventionally Powered Carsharing Vehicles with Electric Vehicles

Recent developments in battery technology and an increased acceptance of a sharing economy has led to the re-emergence of electric vehicles into rapidly expanding carsharing fleets across the world. Until now, the primary focus of research has been on one-way carsharing systems, with limited literature on the potential for battery electric vehicles to replace conventionally-powered station-based carsharing vehicles. In order to assess this potential, a simulation was carried out using past booking data from a German carsharing provider to assess each vehicle’s suitability for BEV replacement. The results suggested a large portion of station-based vehicles within the fleet could be replaced with battery electric vehicles, with vehicle range as the primary limiting factor.