Long-Distance Electric Truck Traffic: Analysis, Modeling and Designing a Demand-Oriented Charging Network for Germany
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The aim of this study is to provide guidance for the introduction of electric trucks and offer design suggestions for establishing a viable electric freight transportation system. The findings of this research have some reference value for promoting the development of electric truck transportation in Germany and other countries. I have the following suggestions for this article:
The sentences in the description of the author’s work in the Abstract are too long and should be simplified to make it easier for readers to read.
The author mentioned that the methodology consists of to 7 sequential stages. It is suggested that the author utilize flowcharts to visually represent the workflow and relationships of each stage.
Microscopic traffic simulation, as a tool, should not be regarded as an innovative method parse. Instead, the author should emphasize the innovative methodological approaches adopted in the process of utilizing microscopic traffic simulation.
The author’s introduction to MATSim is redundant, as it only adds to the length of the article. Please integrate your work together. Additionally, it is necessary for the author to clarify the relationship between MATSim and micro-traffic.
The author appears to have utilized a large-scale simulation covering the entire territory of Germany, employing an agent-based modeling approach. However, this raises a concern regarding the potentially extensive time requirements and the need for high-quality data in this simulation method. It would be beneficial for the author to provide an explanation of how these challenges were addressed. Additionally, it may be worth considering the possibility of adjusting the simulation to focus on specific sections of long-distance roadways.
Although the author has made an attempt to design a charging network, it is that the impact of this network on the distribution grid has been overlooked, which appears to be necessary to address.
The author did not explicitly mention the specific method used to verify the accuracy of the simulation results.. Further clarification from the author regarding the validation process would provide a more comprehensive understanding of how the accuracy of the simulation results was ensured.
The manuscript showcases an impressive level of proficiency in the English language, characterized by the effective use of complex sentence structures. The combination of specific terminology enhances the accuracy and precision of the research findings. While the manuscript effectively conveys complex concepts, ensuring their explanation or integration for non-specialist readers is crucial. Some minor modifications may be necessary to improve the clarity and readability of certain sentence structures. Overall, the manuscript demonstrates commendable quality in the use of the English language, reflecting the author’s expertise and academic rigor.
Author Response
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
The aim of this study is to provide guidance for the introduction of electric trucks and offer design suggestions for establishing a viable electric freight transportation system. The findings of this research have some reference value for promoting the development of electric truck transportation in Germany and other countries. I have the following suggestions for this article:
Point 1: The sentences in the description of the author’s work in the Abstract are too long and should be simplified to make it easier for readers to read.
- Abstract has been rewritten with shorter sentences.
Point 2: The author mentioned that the methodology consists of to 7 sequential stages. It is suggested that the author utilize flowcharts to visually represent the workflow and relationships of each stage.
- Has been added, see Figure 1 and Line 147ff
Point 3: Microscopic traffic simulation, as a tool, should not be regarded as an innovative method parse. Instead, the author should emphasize the innovative methodological approaches adopted in the process of utilizing microscopic traffic simulation.
- Thanks for the comment, from our point of view line 128ff explains this point
Point 4a: The author’s introduction to MATSim is redundant, as it only adds to the length of the article. Please integrate your work together.
- We decided to leave the introduction to MATSim in the paper in case other scientists also want to use MATSim. In addition, we added the version we used in line 213
Point 4b: Additionally, it is necessary for the author to clarify the relationship between MATSim and micro-traffic.
- Added in Line 86
Point 5: The author appears to have utilized a large-scale simulation covering the entire territory of Germany, employing an agent-based modeling approach. However, this raises a concern regarding the potentially extensive time requirements and the need for high-quality data in this simulation method. It would be beneficial for the author to provide an explanation of how these challenges were addressed. Additionally, it may be worth considering the possibility of adjusting the simulation to focus on specific sections of long-distance roadways.
- We added further information to the computer setup starting at line 236
Point 6: Although the author has made an attempt to design a charging network, it is that the impact of this network on the distribution grid has been overlooked, which appears to be necessary to address.
- See line 561ff
Point 7 The author did not explicitly mention the specific method used to verify the accuracy of the simulation results. Further clarification from the author regarding the validation process would provide a more comprehensive understanding of how the accuracy of the simulation results was ensured.
- We validated the base data (OD-Matrices) and compared our results to similar publications (Speth et al. 2022).
- Results of charging site distribution have not been validated yet, since there is no valid data available. But, within the project HoLa the simulation results have been presented to the project partners and have been discussed and evaluated. We added this in the Discussion line
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Point 8: The manuscript showcases an impressive level of proficiency in the English language, characterized by the effective use of complex sentence structures. The combination of specific terminology enhances the accuracy and precision of the research findings. While the manuscript effectively conveys complex concepts, ensuring their explanation or integration for non-specialist readers is crucial. Some minor modifications may be necessary to improve the clarity and readability of certain sentence structures. Overall, the manuscript demonstrates commendable quality in the use of the English language, reflecting the author’s expertise and academic rigor.
- Thanks for this review and also the helpful evaluation of the used language.
Reviewer 2 Report
In Figures 13 and 15, the SoC is shown as 0-1 instead of 0-100 %, which should be corrected to 0-100 %.
Author Response
Point 1: In Figures 13 and 15, the SoC is shown as 0-1 instead of 0-100 %, which should be corrected to 0-100 %
- Thanks a lot, figures have been corrected
Reviewer 3 Report
I have read and enjoyed the article called "Long-Distance Electric Truck Traffic: Analysis, Modeling and Designing a Demand-Oriented Charging Network for Germany".
The article rigorously deals with the issue of replacing diesel engines with electric systems for heavy transport.
The article is well written, there are no mistakes and honestly I didn't even find any typos.
For me, his contribution allows for quick publication.
The aspects I would like to be discussed are the following two.
1) From similar articles I have found that the main problem for recharging trucks is given by the mandatory hours of rest:
Breaks of at least 45 minutes (separable into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes) should be taken after 4 ½ hours at the latest
https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/road/social-provisions/driving-time-and-rest-periods_en
this point constrains the need for recharging, it is provably already present in the data of the behaviors used, but it should be emphasized.
2) Looking at similar articles, I had read that one of the problems of using e-trucks in Germany is that the power required on motorway routes is difficult to find and that we imagined using nodes near the railways, because there was the power available for quick charging for the next 4 ½ hours of driving range. Is it still a limit?
However the work is excellent
Author Response
I have read and enjoyed the article called "Long-Distance Electric Truck Traffic: Analysis, Modeling and Designing a Demand-Oriented Charging Network for Germany".
The article rigorously deals with the issue of replacing diesel engines with electric systems for heavy transport.
The article is well written, there are no mistakes and honestly I didn't even find any typos.
For me, his contribution allows for quick publication.
The aspects I would like to be discussed are the following two.
1) From similar articles I have found that the main problem for recharging trucks is given by the mandatory hours of rest:
Breaks of at least 45 minutes (separable into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes) should be taken after 4 ½ hours at the latest
https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/road/social-provisions/driving-time-and-rest-periods_en
this point constrains the need for recharging, it is provably already present in the data of the behaviors used, but it should be emphasized.
- We added this at line 253ff
2) Looking at similar articles, I had read that one of the problems of using e-trucks in Germany is that the power required on motorway routes is difficult to find and that we imagined using nodes near the railways, because there was the power available for quick charging for the next 4 ½ hours of driving range. Is it still a limit?
- This is an interesting question. It is still an issue to find the required power along the motorway routes. We discussed this with Figure 24. If we add the constraint proximity of less than 3 km to an Electrical Substation, the number of potential charging site locations decrease from 588 to 337 (numbers have been added, line 632). The German railway is not 100% electric. Whether or not nodes near railways can be used, we can not answer.
However the work is excellent
