Freight electrification introduces new opportunities and challenges for
planning and operation. Although research on charging infrastructure planning
and operation is widely available for general electric vehicles, unique
physical and operational characteristics of EFVs coupled with specific patterns
of logistics require dedicated research. This paper presents a comprehensive
literature review to gain a better understanding of the state-of-the-art
research efforts related to planning (charging station siting and sizing) and
operation (routing, charge scheduling, platoon scheduling, and fleet sizing)
for EFVs. We classified the existing literature based on the research topics,
innovations, methodologies, and solution approaches, and future research
directions are identified. Different types of methodologies, such as heuristic,
simulation, and mathematical programming approaches, were applied in the
reviewed literature where mathematical models account for the majority. We
further narrated the specific modeling considerations for different logistic
patterns and research goals with proper reasoning. To solve the proposed
models, different solution approaches, including exact algorithms,
metaheuristic algorithms, and software simulation, were evaluated in terms of
applicability, advantages, and disadvantages. This paper helps to draw more
attention to the planning and operation issues and solutions for freight
electrification and facilitates future studies on EFV to ensure a smooth
transition to a clean freight system.Comment: 43 pages, 4 figures, 2 table