Decarbonizing last-mile delivery: A life cycle comparison of low-altitude and traditional logistics

IF 8.7 1区工程技术 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Transportation Research Part D-transport and Environment Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-21 DOI:10.1016/j.trd.2025.105176

Jun-jie Dong , Yuan-kai Huang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

With growing environmental concerns in e-commerce logistics, this research employs life cycle assessment to evaluate the carbon footprint of last-mile delivery options by comparing multi-rotor drones, electric tricycles, and fuel-powered minivans. Results show electric tricycles offer the best environmental performance under current conditions. While drones outperform conventional minivans, their manufacturing embodied carbon exceeds that of tricycles, highlighting limitations in operational emission reductions alone. Sensitivity analysis identifies payload capacity, service life, and daily operational frequency as key influencing factors. The research proposes extending vehicle lifespan, improving operational efficiency, and optimizing payload design to reduce emissions. These findings provide valuable insights for logistics operators in vehicle selection, manufacturers in eco-design, and policymakers in sustainable urban planning, contributing to the development of low-carbon delivery systems.

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脱碳最后一英里配送：低空与传统物流的生命周期比较

随着电子商务物流对环境问题的日益关注，本研究通过比较多旋翼无人机、电动三轮车和燃油驱动的小型货车，采用生命周期评估来评估最后一英里交付选项的碳足迹。结果表明，在当前条件下，电动三轮车具有最佳的环保性能。尽管无人机的性能优于传统的小型货车，但其制造过程中的碳含量超过了三轮车，这凸显了仅在运营减排方面的局限性。灵敏度分析确定有效载荷能力、使用寿命和日常运行频率是关键的影响因素。研究建议延长车辆寿命，提高运行效率，优化有效载荷设计以减少排放。这些发现为物流运营商在车辆选择方面、制造商在生态设计方面以及政策制定者在可持续城市规划方面提供了有价值的见解，有助于发展低碳运输系统。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Transportation Research Part D-transport and Environment 工程技术-运输科技

CiteScore

14.40

自引率

9.20%

发文量

314

审稿时长

39 days

期刊介绍： Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment focuses on original research exploring the environmental impacts of transportation, policy responses to these impacts, and their implications for transportation system design, planning, and management. The journal comprehensively covers the interaction between transportation and the environment, ranging from local effects on specific geographical areas to global implications such as natural resource depletion and atmospheric pollution. We welcome research papers across all transportation modes, including maritime, air, and land transportation, assessing their environmental impacts broadly. Papers addressing both mobile aspects and transportation infrastructure are considered. The journal prioritizes empirical findings and policy responses of regulatory, planning, technical, or fiscal nature. Articles are policy-driven, accessible, and applicable to readers from diverse disciplines, emphasizing relevance and practicality. We encourage interdisciplinary submissions and welcome contributions from economically developing and advanced countries alike, reflecting our international orientation.