The future of sustainable urban freight distribution – a Delphi study of the drivers and barriers of electric vehicles in London

The use of electric delivery vehicles in urban applications is a viable solution proposed by government and academic research to enable the logistics industry to achieve the carbon emissions reduction targets set in the UK for 2050. This paper examines the multi-dimensional drivers and challenges of the use of electric freight vehicles as a primary means for the decarbonisation of urban freight transport. A theoretical framework closely linked to disruptive innovation is established to demonstrate relationships and is empirically examined through a mixed research approach of observation and a two round Delphi survey analysis. The findings suggest that (i) electric vehicle use is driven by urgency to improve city logistics, (ii) prevention of adoption is primarily cost and vehicle performance, (iii) there were notable differences in expert stakeholder perceptions of motivators and barriers. Implication included the prioritisation of targets for policy and practice to resolve.