Exploring the choice of battery electric vehicles in city logistics: A conjoint-based choice analysis

• Operational constraints are the first barriers to BEVs in city logistics.
• Environmental friendliness is poorly valued in transporters’ purchase decisions.
• Transporters mostly agree that authorities should stimulate BEVs in city logistics.
• Developing public charging infrastructure is critical to electrify city logistics.
• The most supported type of measures is financial incentives.

Adoption of electric vehicles by transport companies remains limited although major European cities should reach CO2-free city logistics by 2030. This paper explores therefore the vehicle choice behaviour of transport companies through a conjoint-based choice analysis.The results showed that the benefits of battery electric vehicles are less valued than their disadvantages. However, a majority of respondents agrees that authorities should encourage the use of battery electric vehicles. Based on the preferences of transporters, we conclude that the most important measures are to develop a larger charging infrastructure and implement financial incentives through subsidies or tax exemption.