Standardized framework for techno-economic assessment of heavy-duty vehicles: Insights from a state-of-the-art review

The growing demand for techno-economic evaluations in the heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) sector is reflected in the increasing number of recent publications. Driven by tightening global tailpipe emission targets, many studies focus on technologies that can achieve zero-tailpipe emissions, such as Battery Electric Vehicles, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles, often comparing them with conventional Diesel Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles. However, comparing results across studies remains challenging due to varying assumptions that can drastically alter outcomes. This underscores the need for a standardized methodology to ensure fair and consistent comparisons of these technologies, integrating both technological and economic factors. This review identifies key discrepancies in assumptions and significant data gaps, particularly in residual values and operational costs. We also examine the most influential cost components within Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and their wide variability across studies. Specifically, purchase cost represents a significant portion of TCO, with large variations across the studies. Additionally, energy carrier cost, particularly for hydrogen-fueled vehicles, is a major operational expense, often influenced by assumptions regarding both energy consumption and energy carrier prices. In this study we also propose the rationale for a standardized TCO framework that can be applied across different HDV technologies, enabling fair comparisons that account for both technical performance and economic viability. Our findings aim to empower fleet operators, researchers, and policymakers with the insights needed to make informed decisions, even if the approach is focused on the fleet operator point of view. This is essential for accelerating the transition to zero-emission HDVs and achieving global climate goals in a fair and sustainable way. • Identifies discrepancies in assumptions and key data gaps in TCO studies. • Highlights the variability of purchase costs and energy carrier costs in HDVs and their impact on TCO. • Proposes a standardized TCO framework for fair comparison of HDV alternative technologies.