Use of ANP and TOPSIS for the 3D Printing on Customized Electrical Vehicles

Abstract

Development of electric vehicles (EVs) is one primary goal of the China Government; in order to propose sustainable strategies and highlights for EVs, it is worthy of further study by the efforts from Industry, University, and Government. This study starts from the aspect of a green energy company. We attempt to set up a new business model by 3D printing for customized electrical vehicles. The alternative evaluation model is based on nine criteria, which are filtered from thirteen criteria in the beginning. The approach of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM): an analytical network process (ANP) with the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) is used in this study to help the decision-maker to choose the appropriate alternative for developing electric vehicles. Four alternatives are considered in this study. They are two options for 3D printing: independently research or outsourcing and two types of power cells (fuel cell or lithium-iron cell) to form four possible alternatives. Studying results show that the company should outsource 3D printing and use a lithium-iron cell.