Impact of Electrifying Urban Food Delivery Trucks on the Environment and the Power Grid

New York City’s food distribution system is among the largest in the United States. Food is transported from six major distribution centers to various consumer point-of-sale locations by trucks. Freight is a large consumer of energy as well as an emitter of greenhouse gases. We present a case study on the impact of electrification of urban truck routes on the carbon emission and the power grid at the Gowanus district in Brooklyn New York. The study analyses the food consumption of the people in New York City based on their dietary pattern, and estimates the number and types of trucks needed to transport the food to this neighborhood. We compare the energy consumption, carbon footprint, and changes in electricity demand on the power grid for diesel versus electric trucks. Based on the predicted population growth, truck routes, point-of-sale locations, it is estimated that electric trucks may result in 40% less greenhouse gases than diesel trucks every year provided that electric trucks are charged using renewable energy resources. The impact on the power grid has been evaluated by the amount of energy needed for electric trucks per week and their peak power demand. The study shows that the current hosting capacity of the neighborhood under study is capable of handling food delivery electrification, without an immediate need for infrastructure upgrades.