This paper explores current and potential future use of fast charging stations for electric passenger vehicles. The aim of the paper is to analyse current charging patterns at fast charging stations and the role of fast charging among different charging options. These patterns are explored along the lines of the technical capabilities of the vehicles and it is found that with increasing battery capacity the need for fast charging decreases. However, for those vehicles with large charging capacities there are indications that fast charging is perceived as more convenient as these are used more often. Such results indicate a larger share for fast charging if charging capacities increase in the future. Results from a spatial analysis show that most fast charging is done at a considerable distance from home, suggesting mostly ‘on the road’ charging sessions. Some fast charging sessions are relatively close to home, especially for those without private home charging access. This shows some future potential for fast charging in cities with many on-street parking facilities.
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Fast charging is usually seen as a means to facilitate long distance driving for electric vehicles and roll-out therefore often happens with corridors in mind. Due to limited charging speeds, EV drivers usually tend to charge at home or work when the car is parked for a longer period to avoid unnecessarily time loss. However with increasing charging speeds and different modes (taxi, car sharing) also switching to electric vehicles, a different approach to fast charging is needed. This research investigates the different intentions of EV drivers at fast charging stations in inner-cities and along highways to see how usage at such stations differs to inform policy makers and charging point operators to accommodate an efficient roll-out strategy.
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Charging infrastructure development is vital for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Yet, on the surface, there seems to be significant disagreement about when, how and which kind of charging infrastructure should be developed and most importantly, for what reasons. These reasons are concealed in the stakeholders’ perspective on the future. Differences in stakeholders’ perspectives regarding expectations on the future EV charging infrastructure may be expected, but should they prove irreconcilable they may stall the roll-out. However, to date, it remains unknown what these stakeholders’ perspectives are, how they are aligned across stakeholders, which topics are heavily debated and which are agreed upon. This study uses Q-methodology to identify different perspectives on the future of roll-out of EV charging infrastructure. The analysis shows that stakeholders mainly differ in the extent fast charging should play an important role, the degree smart charging should be the standard in charging and how much government should intervene with infrastructure roll-out. There is a consensus on the importance of interoperability of charging stations. The four different perspectives were supported across different stakeholders, which supports the idea that perspectives are not strongly linked to the stakeholders’ interests.
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Fast charging is seen as a means to facilitate long-distance driving for electric vehicles (EVs). As a result, roll-out planning generally takes a corridor approach. However, with higher penetration of electric vehicles in urban areas, cities contemplate whether inner-city fast chargers can be an alternative for the growing amount of slow public chargers. For this purpose, more knowledge is required in motives and preferences of users and actual usage patterns of fast chargers. Similarly, with increasing charging speeds of fast chargers and different modes (taxi, car sharing) also switching to electric vehicles, the effect of charging speed should be evaluated as well as preferences amongst different user groups. This research investigates the different intentions and motivations of EV drivers at fast charging stations to see how charging behaviour at such stations differs using both data analysis from charging stations as a survey among EV drivers. Additionally, it estimates the willingness of EV drivers to use fast charging as a substitute for on-street home charging given higher charging speeds. The paper concludes that limited charging speeds imply that EV drivers prefer parking and charging over fast charging but this could change if battery developments allow higher charging speeds.
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At this moment, charging your electric vehicle is common good, however smart charging is still a novelty in the developing phase with many unknowns. A smart charging system monitors, manages and restricts the charging process to optimize energy consumption. The need for, and advantages of smart charging electric vehicles are clear cut from the perspective of the government, energy suppliers and sustainability goals. But what about the advantages and disadvantages for the people who drive electric cars? What opportunities are there to support the goals of the user to make smart charging desirable for them? By means of qualitative Co-design methods the underlying motives of early adaptors for joining a smart charging service were uncovered. This was done by first sensitizing the user about their current and past encounters with smart charging to make them more aware of their everyday experiences. This was followed by another generative method, journey mapping and in-depth interviews to uncover the core values that drove them to participate in a smart charging system. Finally, during two co-design sessions, the participants formed groups in which they were challenged to design the future of smart charging guided by their core values. The three main findings are as follows. Firstly, participants are looking for ways to make their sustainable behaviour visible and measurable for themselves. For example, the money they saved by using the smart charging system was often used as a scoreboard, more than it was about theactual money. Secondly, they were more willing to participate in smart charging and discharging (sending energy from their vehicle back to the grid) if it had a direct positive effect on someone close to them. For example, a retiree stated that he was more than willing to share the energy of his car with a neighbouring family in which both young parents work, making them unable to charge their vehicles at times when renewable energy is available in abundance. The third and last finding is interrelated with this, it is about setting the right example. The early adopters want to show people close to them that they are making an effort to do the right thing. This is known as the law of proximity and is well illustrated by a participant that bought a second-hand, first-generation Nissan Leaf with a range of just 80 km in the summer and even less in winter. It isn’t about buying the best or most convenient car but about showing the children that sometimes it takes effort to do the right thing. These results suggest that there are clear opportunities for suppliers of smart EV charging services to make it more desirable for users, with other incentives than the now commonly used method of saving money. The main takeaway is that early adopters have a desire for their sustainable behaviour to be more visible and tangible for themselves and their social environment. The results have been translated into preliminary design proposals in which the law of proximity is applied.
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In the Netherlands and some neighbouring European countries, the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector is receiving attention from market regulators. Concerns relating to competitive processes in this developing and rapidly growing sector are being raised. This paper identifies specific markets where regulation can help increase the level of competition for the development of affordable and accessible public charging infrastructure, both within the built environment (slow charging) as well as along highways (fast charging). Barriers to competition include exclusive concessions at the municipality level and long-term exclusive concessions at locations along highways.
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On the eve of the large-scale introduction of electric vehicles, policy makers have to decide on how to organise a significant growth in charging infrastructure to meet demand. There is uncertainty about which charging deployment tactic to follow. The main issue is how many of charging stations, of which type, should be installed and where. Early roll-out has been successful in many places, but knowledge on how to plan a large-scale charging network in urban areas is missing. Little is known about return to scale effects, reciprocal effects of charger availability on sales, and the impact of fast charging or more clustered charging hubs on charging preferences of EV owners. This paper explores the effects of various roll-out strategies for charging infrastructure that facilitate the large-scale introduction of EVs, using agent-based simulation. In contrast to previously proposed models, our model is rooted in empirically observed charging patterns from EVs instead of travel patterns of fossil fuelled cars. In addition, the simulation incorporates different user types (inhabitants, visitors, taxis and shared vehicles) to model the diversity of charging behaviours in an urban environment. Different scenarios are explored along the lines of the type of charging infrastructure (level 2, clustered level 2, fast charging) and the intensity of rollout (EV to charging point ratio). The simulation predicts both the success rate of charging attempts and the additional discomfort when searching for a charging station. Results suggest that return to scale and reciprocal effects in charging infrastructure are considerable, resulting in a lower EV to charging station ratio on the longer term.
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Electric vehicles have penetrated the Dutch market, which increases the potential for decreased local emissions, the use and storage of sustainable energy, and the roll-out and use of electric car-sharing business models. This development also raises new potential issues such as increased electricity demand, a lack of social acceptance, and infrastructural challenges in the built environment. Relevant stakeholders, such as policymakers and service providers, need to align their values and prioritize these aspects. Our study investigates the prioritization of 11 Dutch decision-makers in the field of public electric vehicle charging. These decision-makers prioritized different indicators related to measurements (e.g., EV adoption rates or charge point profitability), organization (such as fast- or smart-charging), and developments (e.g., the development of mobility-service markets) using the best-worst method. The indicators within these categories were prioritized for three different scenario's in time. The results reveal that priorities will shift from EV adoption and roll-out of infrastructure to managing peak demand, using more sustainable charging techniques (such as V2G), and using sustainable energy towards 2030. Technological advancements and autonomous charging techniques will become more relevant in a later time period, around 2040. Environmental indicators (e.g., local emissions) were consistently valued low, whereas mobility indicators were valued differently across participants, indicating a lack of consensus. Smart charging was consistently valued higher than other charging techniques, independent of time period. The results also revealed that there are some distinct differences between the priorities of policymakers and service providers. Having a systematic overview of what aspects matter supports the policy discussion around EVs in the built environment.
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The transition towards electric mobility is expected to take off the coming years, as more EV car models access the market and charging infrastructure is being expanded. The expansion of charging infrastructure will have to accelerate to keep pace with the fast-growing need for charging. The coming years will be marked by uncertainty regarding technological developments (batteries, range), charging technologies (e.g. fast charging, inductive), growth of car sharing and autonomous driving and impact on user preferences and charging behaviour Data management is key to the EV market and public parties involved: to be able to adapt quickly to changes and to reduce risks and costs. This paper describes the five most important preconditions for effective data management that allows stakeholders to monitor the performance of their charging infrastructure and to take informed decisions on rollout strategies based on data science research results.
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Currently EVs constitute only 1% of all vehicles on the road. We are at the eve of the large scale introduction of EVs. Large scale introduction requires a significant growth in charging infrastructure. In an urban context, in which many rely on on-street charging facilities, policy makers deal with a large number of concerns. Policy makers are uncertain about which charging deployment strategy to follow. This paper presents results from simulating different strategies for charging infrastructure roll to facilitate a large scale introduction of EVs using agent based simulation. In contrast to other models, the model uses observed charging patterns from EVs instead of travel patterns of fossil fuelled cars. The simulation incorporates different user types (Inhabitants, visitors, taxis and sharing) to model the complexity of charging in an urban environment. Different scenarios are explored along the lines of the type of charging infrastructure (level 2, clustered level 2, fast charging), the intensity of rollout (EV to Charging point ratio) and adoption rates. The simulation measures both the success rate and the additional miles cruising for a charging station. Results shows that scaling effects in charging infrastructure exist allowing for more efficient use of the infrastructure at a larger size.
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