Cost calculation device and cost calculation method

Abstract

To provide a cost calculation device and a cost calculation method for accurately calculating an introduction cost before introducing an electric vehicle.SOLUTION: A cost calculation device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire travel information when a first vehicle travels on a specific route and a planned number of second vehicles to be introduced that are electrically driven to travel, and a control unit configured to calculate an introduction cost including a cost of a charging facility for charging the second vehicles based on the travel information and the planned number of vehicles to be introduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cost calculation device and a cost calculation method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a device for supporting the purchase of electric vehicles has been proposed. Here, when purchasing an electric vehicle, other costs such as charging facilities also occur, so it is required to calculate the overall cost associated with the purchase of the electric vehicle.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a charging facility operation support system that aims to introduce and operate charging facilities in a reasonable manner. This system outputs the burden amount of the charging facility introduction cost, the charging performance, and the charging fee.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the system of Patent Document 1 calculates the costs related to charging facilities after the purchase of the electric vehicle, and does not calculate the introduction costs such as charging facilities before the purchase of the electric vehicle.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cost calculation device and a cost calculation method that accurately calculate the introduction costs before the introduction of an electric vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The cost calculation device according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires driving information when a first vehicle travels a specific route and the planned number of second vehicles to be introduced that run electrically, and a control unit that calculates an introduction cost including the cost of charging facilities for charging the second vehicle based on the driving information and the planned number of introduced vehicles.

[0008] The cost calculation method according to the present disclosure includes acquiring driving information when a first vehicle travels a specific route and the planned number of second vehicles to be introduced that run electrically, and calculating an introduction cost including the cost of charging facilities for charging the second vehicle based on the driving information and the planned number of introduced vehicles.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately calculate the introduction cost before introducing electric vehicles.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a cost calculation system including a cost calculation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This cost calculation system includes a terminal 1, a vehicle 1a, and a cost calculation device 2. Here, the cost calculation device 2 is connected to the terminal 1 and the vehicle 1a via a network. The network is a communication network that transmits and receives data between the cost calculation device 2, the terminal 1, and the vehicle 1a, and is composed of, for example, the Internet, an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN).

[0013] The terminal 1 is for inputting introduction information of an electric vehicle introduced by a user, and is composed of, for example, an information processing terminal such as a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. When the introduction information is input, the terminal 1 transmits the introduction information to the cost calculation device 2. Here, the terminal 1 may be a terminal used by a user who plans to introduce an electric vehicle, or a terminal used by an administrator who manages the cost calculation device 2. An electric vehicle is a vehicle that runs electrically, and may include, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Further, the introduction of an electric vehicle may include, for example, the purchase of an electric vehicle, the lease (such as lease, rental, etc.) of an electric vehicle. The introduction information is information regarding the introduction of an electric vehicle, and may include, for example, the planned number of electric vehicles to be introduced, the type, the planned driving route, etc.

[0014] The vehicle 1a is a vehicle used (for example, owned, leased) by a user who introduces an electric vehicle, and may include, for example, a vehicle driven by an engine (such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, etc.). The vehicle 1a transmits driving information corresponding to the driving to the cost calculation device 2. For example, the vehicle 1a is registered in the cost calculation device 2 in advance, and can transmit the driving information that changes according to the driving to the cost calculation device 2 by a communication device. Further, the vehicle 1a may be a vehicle that travels on a specific route R1 including the planned driving route of the electric vehicle to be introduced, and may be, for example, a vehicle planned to be replaced with an electric vehicle.

[0015] The cost calculation device 2 includes an acquisition unit 3 and a control unit 4. The acquisition unit 3 is electrically connected to the control unit 4. The cost calculation device 2 can be configured from, for example, a server or the like.

[0016] The acquisition unit 3 acquires driving information when the vehicle 1a travels a specific route R1 and introduction information including the planned number of electric vehicles to be introduced by the user.

[0017] For example, the driving information may include the position information, average vehicle speed, driving distance, fuel consumption, etc. of the vehicle 1a. At this time, the acquisition unit 3 may directly acquire the driving information from the vehicle 1a, or may calculate the driving information based on the information transmitted from the vehicle 1a. For example, the acquisition unit 3 can calculate the average vehicle speed when the vehicle 1a travels the route R1 based on the position information and the change in vehicle speed transmitted from the vehicle 1a. Also, the acquisition unit 3 can calculate the driving distance when the vehicle 1a travels the route R1 based on the position information transmitted from the vehicle 1a. Further, the acquisition unit 3 can calculate the fuel consumption when the vehicle 1a travels the route R1 based on the fuel information (for example, fuel flow rate, remaining fuel amount) transmitted from the vehicle 1a. Here, the driving information may be acquired from one vehicle 1a traveling the route R1, or may be acquired by combining the information of a plurality of vehicle 1as traveling a part of the route R1.

[0018] At this time, the specific route R1 may be set by the user or the administrator of the cost calculation device 2, or may be automatically set by the acquisition unit 3. For example, the acquisition unit 3 may set the specific route R1 based on the planned driving route of the electric vehicle. Also, the acquisition unit 3 may set the specific route R1 based on the designation of the vehicle 1a that replaces the electric vehicle. For example, when the vehicle 1a is a delivery vehicle, the acquisition unit 3 can set the delivery route of the vehicle 1a as the specific route R1 based on the designation of the vehicle 1a.

[0019] The control unit 4 calculates the introduction cost including the cost of the charging facility for charging the electric vehicle based on the driving information of the vehicle 1a acquired by the acquisition unit 3 and the planned number of electric vehicles to be introduced. Examples of the introduction cost include the cost of the charging facility (e.g., purchase cost, rental cost), the cost of the electric vehicle (e.g., purchase cost, rental cost), the amount paid by public services (e.g., subsidy, grant, benefit), and the like. The control unit 4 transmits, for example, the introduction cost to the terminal 1.

[0020] Next, the hardware configuration of the cost calculation device 2 will be described in detail. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the cost calculation device 2 includes a storage device 5, a processor 6, a user interface (UI) device 7, and a communication device 8 that are interconnected via a bus B.

[0021] Note that the program or instruction for realizing various functions and processes of the cost calculation device 2 may be downloaded from any external device via a network or the like. Also, the program or instruction for realizing various functions and processes of the cost calculation device 2 may be provided from a removable storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) or a flash memory.

[0022] The storage device 5 may be realized by one or more non-transitory storage media such as a random access memory, a flash memory, or a hard disk drive. Then, the storage device 5 may store files or data used for the execution of the program or instruction together with the installed program or instruction.

[0023] The processor 6 may be implemented by one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), or processing circuitry, etc., which may be composed of one or more processor cores. The processor 6 executes various functions and processes of the cost calculation device 2 according to data such as programs, instructions, programs, or parameters (for example, parameters necessary for the execution of instructions) stored in the storage device 5.

[0024] The user interface device 7 may be composed of an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a camera, or a microphone, an output device such as a display, a speaker, a headset, or a printer, and an input / output device such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a touch panel.

[0025] The communication device 8 is realized by various communication circuits that execute wired and / or wireless communication processing with external devices, communication networks such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a cellular network.

[0026] Note that the above-described hardware configuration is merely an example, and the cost calculation device 2 according to the present disclosure may be realized by any other appropriate hardware configuration.

[0027] Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0028] First, as shown in FIG. 1, the acquisition unit 3 of the cost calculation device 2 acquires driving information when the vehicle 1a travels on a specific route R1 in step S1. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle 1a is an engine-driven vehicle used (for example, owned, leased, etc.) by the user. For example, the vehicle 1a is registered in advance in the cost calculation device 2, and the driving information is transmitted to the cost calculation device 2 by the communication unit mounted on the vehicle 1a.

[0029] For example, consider a case where vehicle 1a is a delivery vehicle that travels to a predetermined delivery destination within a predetermined period (e.g., one day). When the vehicle 1a travels on a specific route R1 towards the delivery destination, it transmits driving information such as its position information, vehicle speed, or fuel information to the cost calculation device 2. At this time, the specific route R1 does not have to be the same route every day, and may be changed within a predetermined range according to the delivery destination, for example.

[0030] When the acquisition unit 3 receives the driving information transmitted from the vehicle 1a, it sequentially stores the driving information in the storage device 5. At this time, the acquisition unit 3 may calculate the route R1 traveled by the vehicle 1a during the predetermined period based on the position information of the vehicle 1a. Further, the acquisition unit 3 may calculate the driving distance when the vehicle 1a travels on the route R1 as driving information based on the position information of the vehicle 1a. Further, the acquisition unit 3 may calculate the average vehicle speed when the vehicle 1a travels on the route R1 as driving information based on the position information and vehicle speed of the vehicle 1a. Further, the acquisition unit 3 may calculate the fuel consumption when the vehicle 1a travels on the route R1 as driving information based on the position information and fuel information of the vehicle 1a. In this way, when the acquisition unit 3 acquires the driving information of the vehicle 1a, it stores the driving information in the storage device 5.

[0031] Next, in step S2, the acquisition unit 3 acquires introduction information including the planned number of electric vehicles to be introduced. Here, it is assumed that the user is considering introducing an electric vehicle (e.g., purchasing or leasing). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 1 displays an input screen for introduction information of the electric vehicle in response to an operation by the user or the administrator of the cost calculation device 2, and accepts the input of the introduction information. The terminal 1 can accept inputs such as the planned number of electric vehicles to be introduced 9, the type of electric vehicle 10, and the planned driving route R2 of the electric vehicle, for example.

[0032] At this time, if a specific route R1 that the vehicle 1a has traveled in the past is included in the planned route R2 of the electric vehicle, the user may input the identification information 12 of the vehicle 1a as the planned route R2. For example, when the user replaces the currently used vehicle 1a with an electric vehicle, the user can input the identification information 12 of the vehicle 1a. Also, the user may input the identification information 13 of the route R1 as the planned route R2.

[0033] When the introduction information is input, the terminal 1 transmits the introduction information to the cost calculation device 2 according to the user's operation on the transmission button 14. As a result, a request for calculating the introduction cost of introducing an electric vehicle is transmitted to the cost calculation device 2.

[0034] Then, the acquisition unit 3 of the cost calculation device 2 acquires the introduction information including the planned introduction quantity 9 transmitted from the terminal 1. Also, the acquisition unit 3 acquires the planned route R2 of the electric vehicle including the specific route R1 transmitted from the terminal 1. When the acquisition unit 3 acquires the introduction information, it outputs the introduction information to the control unit 4.

[0035] When the introduction information of the electric vehicle is input from the acquisition unit 3, the control unit 4, in step S3, refers to the storage device 5 based on the introduction information and extracts the driving information of the vehicle 1a that travels on the route R1 corresponding to the planned route R2. For example, when the identification information 12 of the vehicle 1a or the identification information 13 of the route R1 is input as the planned route R2, the control unit 4 extracts the driving information of the vehicle 1a from the storage device 5 based on the identification information 12 or 13. At this time, when the planned route R2 is set by combining a plurality of routes R1, the control unit 4 may extract a plurality of driving information corresponding to the plurality of routes R1.

[0036] Subsequently, the control unit 4 calculates the introduction cost of the electric vehicle in step S4. For example, the control unit 4 can calculate the introduction cost including the cost of the electric vehicle based on the planned introduction quantity 9 and the type 10 of the electric vehicle.

[0037] Further, the control unit 4 calculates an introduction cost including the cost of the charging facility for charging the electric vehicle based on the extracted driving information of the vehicle 1a and the introduction information including the planned introduction number 9. Specifically, the control unit 4 can calculate the electricity cost of the electric vehicle when traveling on the planned travel route R2 based on the driving information of the vehicle 1a, and calculate the cost of the charging facility based on the electricity cost and the planned introduction number 9.

[0038] Here, the control unit 4 stores in advance in the storage device 5 a conversion formula indicating the change in the electricity cost of the electric vehicle with respect to the average vehicle speed and the travel distance of the vehicle driven by the engine, and based on the average vehicle speed of the vehicle 1a when traveling on the route R1, the electricity cost of the electric vehicle can be calculated from the conversion formula. Further, the control unit 4 can also calculate the electricity cost of the electric vehicle using the fuel consumption of the vehicle 1a.

[0039] At this time, the control unit 4 may calculate the electricity cost of the electric vehicle by further considering not only the amount of electric power consumed during driving but also the amount of electric power consumed for mounting (for example, refrigeration, refrigeration, etc.). For example, the control unit 4 can calculate the average amount of electric power consumed for mounting based on the business type of the pre-registered user (for example, convenience store, delivery business, etc.) or the specifications of the vehicle 1a (for example, refrigeration specification, refrigeration specification, vehicle weight, vehicle size, etc.), and calculate the electricity cost of the electric vehicle based on the average amount of electric power.

[0040] When the control unit 4 calculates the electricity cost of the electric vehicle, it calculates the cost of the charging facility based on the planned introduction number 9 and the electricity cost of the electric vehicle. Here, the acquisition unit 3 can acquire in advance the planned parking time for parking the electric vehicle after introduction. For example, the acquisition unit 3 can calculate the planned parking time of the electric vehicle based on the driving information of the vehicle 1a (for example, position information, vehicle speed, or driving information of the engine, etc.) stored in the storage device 5. Further, the acquisition unit 3 may directly acquire the introduction information including the planned parking time of the electric vehicle from the terminal 1.

[0041] Note that the charging equipment is for charging electric vehicles and can include, for example, chargers (such as normal chargers, rapid chargers), or power conversion and reception devices (such as cubicles), etc. Also, the planned parking time is the parking time (idle time) during which an electric vehicle can be charged by a charger, for example, the time from the end of delivery until the start of the next day's delivery, etc.

[0042] Based on the planned number of electric vehicles to be introduced 9, the electricity cost, and the planned parking time acquired by the acquisition unit 3, the control unit 4 calculates the type and number of chargers to be introduced. Specifically, the control unit 4 calculates the charging amount for each of the electric vehicles after introduction based on the planned number of electric vehicles to be introduced 9 and the electricity cost when traveling on the planned driving route R2. Then, the control unit 4 calculates the type and number of chargers to be introduced based on the charging amount of the electric vehicles and the planned parking time.

[0043] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the planned number of vehicles to be introduced 9 is 7, the control unit 4 calculates the charging amount for each of the 7 electric vehicles. Then, the control unit 4 calculates the type and number of chargers that can charge the 7 electric vehicles within the planned parking time 15 with a charging amount less than a predetermined amount of electricity. Here, the planned parking time 15 is from 22:00 to 7:00. Also, the predetermined amount of electricity indicates the upper limit of the amount of electricity that can be transformed by a normal transformer, that is, the upper limit of the amount of electricity for which the installation of a power conversion and reception device is not required.

[0044] Specifically, the control unit 4 determines whether it is possible to charge the 7 electric vehicles within the planned parking time 15 with only normal chargers with a charging amount less than the predetermined amount of electricity. If the control unit 4 determines that it is possible to charge with only normal chargers, it calculates the number of such normal chargers as the number of chargers to be introduced. On the other hand, if the control unit 4 cannot charge the 7 electric vehicles within the planned parking time 15 even when maximizing the number of normal chargers so that the charging amount is less than the predetermined amount of electricity, it calculates the number of rapid chargers to be introduced. If the control unit 4 can charge the 7 electric vehicles within the planned parking time 15 with a charging amount less than the predetermined amount of electricity by introducing rapid chargers, it calculates the number of normal chargers and rapid chargers as the number of chargers to be introduced.

[0045] When the control unit 4 calculates the type and the number of chargers introduced, it calculates the cost of the charging facility based on the type and the number of chargers introduced. Thereby, the control unit 4 can calculate the cost of the charging facility, and accurately calculate the overall introduction cost before the introduction of the electric vehicle.

[0046] In addition, when the control unit 4 cannot charge the electric vehicle with less than a predetermined amount of electric power, it calculates the cost of the charging facility including the power conversion and distribution device. In this way, since the control unit 4 calculates the cost of the charging facility including the cost of the power conversion and distribution device based on the type and the number of chargers introduced, it can more accurately calculate the overall introduction cost before the introduction of the electric vehicle.

[0047] Here, the control unit 4 can calculate the introduction cost including the operation cost of the charging facility based on the type and the number of chargers introduced. For example, the control unit 4 can calculate the electricity charge paid to the power company (for example, the basic charge paid for the contracted power consumption (kW)) as the operation cost based on the type and the number of chargers introduced. In addition, the control unit 4 can also calculate the electricity charge paid to the power company (for example, the electricity charge paid for the amount of electricity used (kWh)) as the operation cost based on the charging amounts of seven electric vehicles. In this way, by calculating the operation cost of the charging facility, the control unit 4 can more accurately calculate the overall introduction cost before the introduction of the electric vehicle.

[0048] In addition, the control unit 4 can calculate the introduction cost based on the public service information. For example, the acquisition unit 3 acquires the public service information from the websites of administrative agencies (such as central government ministries, local governments, etc.). Examples of the public service information include subsidies, grants, and benefits for charging facilities or electric vehicles. The control unit 4 determines whether the charging facilities or electric vehicles introduced by the user are the targets of public services based on the public service information acquired by the acquisition unit 3. When it is determined that the charging facilities or electric vehicles are the targets of public services, the control unit 4 calculates the introduction cost based on the corresponding public service. For example, the control unit 4 can subtract the amount subsidized by the public service from the introduction cost. Thereby, the control unit 4 can calculate the overall introduction cost more accurately before the introduction of the electric vehicle.

[0049] In this way, when the control unit 4 calculates the introduction cost, in step S5, it outputs the introduction cost. For example, the control unit 4 transmits the introduction cost to the terminal 1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 1 can display the introduction cost 16 calculated by the cost calculation device 2.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the acquisition unit 3 acquires the driving information when the vehicle 1a travels on a specific route R1 and the planned number 9 of electric vehicles to be introduced. Then, the control unit 4 calculates the introduction cost 16 including the cost of the charging facilities for charging the electric vehicles based on the driving information and the planned number 9 of electric vehicles to be introduced. Thereby, the control unit 4 can accurately calculate the introduction cost 16 before the introduction of the electric vehicle. In addition, the user can calculate the profitability of introducing the electric vehicle based on the introduction cost 16 before the introduction of the electric vehicle.

[0051] In addition, each of the above embodiments merely shows an example of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner by these. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or its main features. For example, the disclosure regarding the shape, number, etc. of each part described in the above embodiments is merely illustrative, and can be changed as appropriate and implemented.

Industrial Applicability

[0052] The cost calculation device according to the present disclosure can be used in a device that calculates the introduction cost of introducing an electric vehicle.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0053] 1 Terminal 1a Vehicle 2 Cost Calculation Device 3 Acquisition Unit 4 Control Unit 5 Storage Device 6 Processor 7 User Interface Device 8 Communication Device 9 Number of Planned Introductions 10 Type of Electric Vehicle 12, 13 Identification Information 14 Transmission Button 15 Planned Parking Time 16 Introduction Cost R1 Route R2 Planned Travel Route

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires driving information when a first vehicle travels a specific route and the planned number of second vehicles to be introduced that travel electrically; A cost calculation device comprising: a control unit that calculates an introduction cost including the cost of charging facilities for charging the second vehicle based on the driving information and the planned number of introductions.

2. The acquisition unit acquires a planned driving route of the second vehicle including the specific route, The control unit calculates the electricity cost of the second vehicle when traveling the planned driving route based on the driving information, and calculates the cost of the charging facilities based on the planned number of introductions and the electricity cost. The cost calculation device according to claim 1.

3. The acquisition unit acquires a planned parking time for parking the second vehicle, The control unit calculates the type and number of chargers to be introduced based on the planned number of introductions, the electricity cost, and the planned parking time, and calculates the cost of the charging facilities based on the type and number of chargers to be introduced. The cost calculation device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit calculates the cost of the charging facilities including the cost of the power conversion and distribution device based on the type and number of chargers to be introduced. The cost calculation device according to claim 3.

5. The acquisition unit calculates the planned parking time of the second vehicle based on the driving information of the first vehicle used by the user. The cost calculation device according to claim 3.

6. The control unit calculates the introduction cost including the operation cost of the charging facilities based on the type and number of chargers to be introduced. The cost calculation device according to claim 3.

7. The control unit calculates the introduction cost based on public service information. The cost calculation device according to claim 1.

8. The control unit calculates the introduction cost including the cost of the second vehicle based on the planned number of introductions. The cost calculation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Acquiring driving information when a first vehicle travels a specific route and the planned number of second vehicles to be introduced that travel electrically; A cost calculation method executed by a computer, including calculating an introduction cost including the cost of charging facilities for charging the second vehicle based on the driving information and the planned number of introductions.

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