Planning decentralized battery-swapping recharging facilities for e-bike sharing systems

Abstract

<p>E-bike sharing has been embraced as a sustainable transportation mode, and its success hinges on efficient recharging facility planning. While battery-swapping technology has emerged as a promising solution for refueling shared e-bikes, the efficient recharging of swapped batteries remains understudied. This study explores two battery-swapping recharging modes, namely, centralized charging (CC) and decentralized swapping (DS). Specifically, a multi-decentralized swapping (M-DS) mode is introduced to incorporate multiple recharging sites within each service area, aiming to enhance recharging efficiency. A general modeling framework is proposed to simulate battery-swapping demand based on available bike-sharing data and optimize facility planning and routes across various recharging modes. The optimization model is formulated into a location-routing problem, addressed by a customized meta-heuristic algorithm. A case study conducted in Shenzhen, China, demonstrates the model’s ability to jointly determine optimal facility locations, facility types, and operational strategies. The results indicate significant efficiency enhancement achieved by M-DS, offering both cost savings and improved e-bike availability. Further scenario analysis reveals the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of M-DS, thereby supporting small-scale e-bike sharing services and facilitating the expansion of access to environment-friendly transportation. This study contributes to facility planning for electric micromobility and provides practical insights for industry practitioners.</p>