A systems analysis framework to optimize the utilization of electric vehicles at military facilities

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is the world's largest consumer of petroleum, a commodity whose price volatility makes budget planning extremely difficult. A significant amount of DOD's oil consumption is attributable to its massive fleet of non-tactical vehicles - sedans, trucks and vans used for official duties at installations around the world. Federal statutes require the U.S. military to incorporate alternative-fuel vehicles, including those powered by electricity, in this fleet. This paper uses discrete event simulation built on real-world data from a fleet of sedans at an Air Force base to explain how the U.S. military can procure optimal numbers and types of electric vehicles (EVs) that will maximize financial savings while still meeting mission requirements. Output from simulated operation of the optimized fleet is then used to analyze the sensitivity of operating expense with respect to gasoline and electricity prices. This framework illuminates the path to widespread EV adoption without the time, expense and risk of committing physical assets.