Optimizing Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure: A Bi-Level Mathematical Model for Strategic Station Location and Off-Board Charger Allocation in Transportation Network

Patcharida Kunawong, Warisa Nakkiew (), Parida Jewpanya and Wasawat Nakkiew
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Patcharida Kunawong: Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Warisa Nakkiew: Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Parida Jewpanya: Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Wasawat Nakkiew: Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Mathematics, 2025, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-28

Abstract: This study presented a novel bi-level mathematical model for designing charging infrastructure in an interstate electric bus transportation network, specifically addressing long-haul operations. To the best of our knowledge, no existing study integrates charging station locations with the number of off-board chargers while simultaneously optimizing their allocation and charging schedules. The proposed model fills this gap by formulating an exact algorithm using a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). The first-level model determines the optimal placement and number of charging stations. The second-level model optimizes the number of off-board chargers, charger allocation, and bus charging schedules. This ensures operational efficiency and integration of decisions between both levels. The experiments and sensitivity analysis were conducted on a real case study of an interstate bus network in Thailand. The results provided valuable insights for policymakers and transportation planners in designing cost-effective and efficient electric bus transportation systems. The proposed model provides a practical framework for developing eco-friendly transportation networks, encouraging sustainability, and supporting the broader adoption of electric buses.

Keywords: mathematical model; electric bus; charging location; off-board chargers; charging scheduling; sustainable and communities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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