Comparison Of Analytic Hierarchy Process And Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process: Allocation Of Photovoltaic Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In Malaysia

Abstract

The siting of photovoltaic electric vehicle charging stations (PEVCS) requires careful evaluation of multiple criteria, which necessitates reliable methods for criteria weighting. This study compares two widely used multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods—Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP)—in determining criteria weights for allocating ideal PEVCS locations in Malaysia. In this study, a total of six main criteria and twelve sub-criteria are considered based on the evaluation of seven experts. Generally, the AHP method provides a straightforward hierarchical framework, and FAHP integrates fuzzy logic to address vagueness and imprecision in expert judgments. To avoid getting the null weight in the FAHP results, a modified version of Chang’s Extent Analysis Method (Approach #4) is employed. The resulting global weights from both methods are applied in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment to generate final suitability maps. Hence, the results showed significant differences in criteria priorities between the two methods, with FAHP offering more stable and realistic weight distributions. However, the study contributes to the growing field of GIS-based MCDM in sustainable infrastructure planning, and both methods are used to predict the ideal locations of PEVCS. Future work may explore additional weighting techniques, broader study areas, or integration with data-driven approaches.