  This paper examines the challenges and requirements for transitioning
logistic distribution networks to electric fleets. To maintain their current
operations, fleet operators need a clear understanding of the charging
infrastructure required and its relationship to existing power grid limitations
and fleet schedules. In this context, this paper presents a modeling framework
to optimize the charging infrastructure and charging schedules for a logistic
distribution network in a joint fashion. Specifically, we cast the joint
infrastructure design and operational scheduling problem as a mixed-integer
linear program that can be solved with off-the-shelf optimization algorithms
providing global optimality guarantees. For a case study in the Netherlands, we
assess the impact of different parameters in our optimization problem,
specifically, the allowed deviation from existing operations with conventional
diesel trucks and the cost factor for daily peak energy usage. We examine the
effects on infrastructure design and power requirements, comparing our
co-design algorithm with planned infrastructure solutions. The results indicate
that current charging and electric machine technologies for trucks can perform
the itineraries of conventional trucks for our case study, but to maintain
critical time requirements and navigate grid congestion co-design can have a
significant impact in reducing total cost of ownership (average 3.51% decrease
in total costs compared to rule-based design solutions).
