01773666

Component

https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981211012412

The number of e-commerce transactions is increasing worldwide. Deliveries of goods purchased online generate externalities throughout the whole supply chain and, particularly, the increasing concern about the last-mile distribution of goods. The escalating presence of vans in cities contributes to poor air quality, climate change, noise, and congestion. So far, the majority of solutions to address this issue are based on the supply side, such as electric vans, optimizing the routing and pick-up-points, and so forth. Even in other transport sectors, pricing solutions are well known, yet they have not been extended to e-commerce delivery. This paper aims to propose an environmental tax falling on the demand side and equaling the externalities from this activity. The analysis has been particularized for the case of Barcelona. A cost–benefit analysis to assess the impact of such a tax has been carried out. When revenue collection is reinvested in the logistics sector, and for subsidizing electric distribution vehicles, the results indicate that the levying of the tax can generate positive outcomes.

© National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2021.

English

pp 642-655

2021-10

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Web

References (51)

Benefit cost analysis; Delivery service; Electronic commerce; Impacts; Policy analysis; Taxes

Barcelona (Spain)

Economics; Freight Transportation; Highways; Planning and Forecasting

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

May 30 2021 3:14PM