Policy effects on charging behaviour of electric vehicle owners and on purchase intentions of prospective owners: Natural and stated choice experimentsWolbertus, Rick; Kroesen, Maarten; van den Hoed, Robert; Chorus, Caspar G. AbstractPolicy makers are looking for effective ways to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Among the options is the roll-out and management of charging infrastructure to meet the EV drivers' refuelling needs. However, policies in this area do not only have a long-term effect on the adoption of EVs among prospective owners, they also have short-term impacts on the usage of public charging infrastructure among current EV owners and vice-versa. Presently, studies focusing on both effects simultaneously are lacking, missing out on possible cross-pollination between these areas. This study uniquely combines stated and revealed preference data to estimate the effect of particular policy measures aimed at EV adoption, on the one hand, and charging behaviour, on the other. Using a large dataset (1.7 million charging sessions) related to charging behaviour using public charging infrastructure in the Netherlands we quantify the effects of (i) daytime-parking (to manage parking pressure) and (ii) free parking (to promote purchase of EVs) policies on charging behaviour. To estimate the effects of these particular policies on EV purchase intentions, a stated choice experiment was conducted among potential EV-buyers. Results show that cross-pollinations between EV charging and adaptation policies exist and should be taken into account when designing policies for EV adoption.©2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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.

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.

Short AbstractSince 2012 the Dutch metropolitan area (The metropole region of Amsterdam, the city of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, Utrecht ) cooperate in finding the best way to stimulate electric mobility through the implementation of a public charging infrastructure. With more than 5600 charge points and 1.6 million charge sessions in the last two years this is one of the most extensively used public charging infrastructure available worldwide. In this paper a benchmark study is carried out to identify different charge patterns between these 5 leading areas with an extensive public charging infrastructure to establish whether and how charge behaviour (e.g. charged volume, capacity utilization, unique users) differs between cities. Based on the results first explanations for possible differences in charge patterns between cities will be provided. The study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the utilization of public charging infrastructure in a metropolitan area existing of four city centres and the Amsterdam metropolitan area and to provide input for policy makers to prepare a public charging infrastructure ready for the projected growth of electric mobility in the next five years.EVS29 International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium -Abstract

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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.

Recent studies show that charging stations are operated in an inefficient way. Due to the fact that electric vehicle (EV) drivers charge while they park, they tend to keep the charging station occupied while not charging. This prevents others from having access. This study is the first to investigate the effect of a pricing strategy to increase the efficient use of electric vehicle charging stations. We used a stated preference survey among EV drivers to investigate the effect of a time-based fee to reduce idle time at a charging station. We tested the effect of such a fee under different scenarios and we modelled the heterogeneity among respondents using a latent class discrete choice model. We find that a fee can be very effective in increasing the efficiency at a charging station but the response to the fee varies among EV drivers depending on their current behaviour and the level of parking pressure they experience near their home. From these findings we draw implications for policy makers and charging point operators who aim to optimize the use of electric vehicle charging stations.