Towards sustainable mobility in India: an integrated mcdm analysis of fuel and drive alternatives

Abstract

Automobiles are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for approximately 17-20% of total emissions, posing a critical threat to sustainability. In addressing this threat, innovation is a crucial component. However, understanding various fuel-type vehicles and the upcoming alternatives from the technical, economic, and environmental-social-governance (ESG) dimensions within the Indian context is what has been stated as a research gap. The study compares current fossil fuel vehicles to sustainable alternatives: Fully Electric Vehicles (FEV), Hydrogen Fuel Vehicles (HFV), Hybrid Vehicles (HV), Compressed/Liquefied Natural Gas (CNG/LNG), and Biofuels. Alternative solutions are evaluated and ranked using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique incorporating global weights. A cross-validation process employs six different MCDM techniques, a correlation index method, and sensitivity analysis to ensure robust and consistent results. The findings are presented through a unique V-model developed using a systems approach. The study identifies FEVs as the most suitable option, followed by HFVs and HEVs, to address future sustainability challenges. This paper contributes to a comprehensive understanding of sustainable automotive solutions, paving the way for India's greener and more environmentally responsible automotive landscape.