This study is the first to systematically and quantitatively explore the factors that determine the length of charging sessions at public charging stations for electric vehicles in urban areas, with particular emphasis placed on the combined parking- and charging-related determinants of connection times. We use a unique and large data set – containing information concerning 3.7 million charging sessions of 84,000 (i.e., 70% of) Dutch EV-users – in which both private users and taxi and car sharing vehicles are included; thus representing a large variation in charging duration behavior. Using multinomial logistic regression techniques, we identify key factors explaining heterogeneity in charging duration behavior across charging stations. We show how these explanatory variables can be used to predict EV-charging behavior in urban areas and we derive preliminary implications for policy-makers and planners who aim to optimize types and size of charging infrastructure.
The transition from diesel-driven urban freight transport towards more electric urban freight transport turns out to be challenging in practice. A major concern for transport operators is how to find a reliable charging strategy for a larger electric vehicle fleet that provides flexibility based on different daily mission profiles within that fleet, while also minimizing costs. This contribution assesses the trade-off between a large battery pack and opportunity charging with regard to costs and operational constraints. Based on a case study with 39 electric freight vehicles that have been used by a parcel delivery company and a courier company in daily operations for over a year, various scenarios have been analyzed by means of a TCO analysis. Although a large battery allows for more flexibility in planning, opportunity charging can provide a feasible alternative, especially in the case of varying mission profiles. Additional personnel costs during opportunity charging can be avoided as much as possible by a well-integrated charging strategy, which can be realized by a reservation system that minimizes the risk of occupied charging stations and a dense network of charging stations.
MULTIFILE
The COVID-19 lockdowns showed that working from home and conducting meetings online can change mobility patterns and needs substantially. This global pandemic may have also substantially changed mobility patterns on the long-term and therefore, also the need of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Charging need dropped significantly but also changed the distribution of the load on the electricity grid throughout the day. This paper analyses changes in electric charging for different user groups during different phases of the pandemic to assess the long-term effects on EV charging needs.
