Multi-Criteria Assessment of Vehicle Powertrain Options for Car-Sharing Fleets Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process: A Case Study from Poland

The transition to environmentally friendly mobility inevitably requires users to use sustainable modes of transport. Rapid urbanization, along with the growing demand for efficient, inclusive, and ecological transport systems, has highlighted the urgent need for research and analysis into the acceptability and experiences of transitioning to sustainable modes of transport. This article proposes a six-step procedure to support the selection of vehicles for car-sharing fleets in cities. The analysis utilizes the Analytic Hierarchy Process method, which allows for the comparison and evaluation of five vehicle variants with different powertrains, taking into account various evaluation criteria: ecological and economic. To refine the research, criterion weights were determined based on original surveys among six car-sharing operators and eighty-seven experts in the field of decarbonization of urban transport. The results indicated that plug-in hybrid vehicles are the most advantageous option for car-sharing fleets, providing a balance between emissions, cost-effectiveness and operational flexibility. The solution obtained is in line with expectations, confirming that the proposed analytical approach is a reliable decision support tool that reduces the risk of making the wrong decision regarding the choice of powertrains.