Truck mobile energy storage system effects on the costs of electric taxis

The rapid growth of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) usage causes severe challenges for charging infrastructure. Despite the numerous merits of stationary energy storage systems (SESSs) for charging BEVs, they cannot solve all challenges for financers and EV customers because SESSs involve a series of limitations, such as the lack of proper electrical infrastructure or construction space in some areas, high construction costs, and users' satisfaction level. For this purpose, truck mobile energy storage systems (TMESSs) can play a complementary role in BEVs' charging to provide optimal operation of electricity networks or charge management BEVs. In this paper, the effects of TMESSs on decreasing the costs of electric taxis (BEVs) as a part of the public transportation system are analyzed through a multi-charger proposal model in terms of the charging time costs, operation and maintenance costs, and energy costs. A case study in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, validated the model using GAMS software, demonstrating that TMESSs can reduce taxis’ costs (the total operational costs and the charging time cost) by 49 %, decrease charging time by 55 %, and improve user satisfaction levels significantly. These findings suggest that TMESSs offer a viable solution to lower electric taxi costs while enhancing charging flexibility and efficiency.