ANNOUNCEMENTS
The movement of goods and products is a crucial aiding factor for economic and social activities that take place in any urban area. For the residents, it supplies material, places of work and leisure and for firms established in the urban area it forms an important link between the merchants and the end consumers. The number of freight vehicles is bound to increase due to the rapid urbanization which would increase the supply and demand in an urban area. Despite its importance, freight movement largely adds to the air pollution, traffic congestion and noise emissions, hence decarbonisation of urban freight vehicles is essential so as to reduce the negative impact of urban freight movement. The study here aims to access the feasibility of electrification of intracity textile freight in Surat. Electrification of vehicles is known to benefit the environment since it has negligible tailpipe emissions and hence reduces the negative impact of freight movement. The study first initiated with identification of factors to access the feasibility of electrification and then based on the interaction with the stakeholders the pattern of freight movement was assessed. This was used to identify the challenges and opportunities for electrification of freight vehicles in Surat and provide recommendations for proper electrification of freight vehicles.
Keywords: electric urban freight transport, Surat, sustainable transport, urban freight decarbonisation, feasibility
