Measuring the equity impacts of government subsidies for electric vehicles. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caulfield, Brian; Furszyfer, Dylan; Stefaniec, Agnieszka; Foley, Aoife
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 248(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: Electric vehicles -- Charging points -- Household income -- Social acceptance -- Spatial analysis; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.123588
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: A shift to electric vehicles (EV) is seen as one of the main methods to decarbonise the transportation sector. However, issues have also been raised regarding charging infrastructure, EV reliability and range, as well as the battery environmental and social credentials. Notwithstanding governments, intergovernmental organisations, and research entities have ploughed ahead to promote this transition, but the challenge is the uptake and public acceptance. Grants and financial subsidies have been developed to facilitate this shift. Our study investigates the characteristics of the private EV household charger population using a regression model and spatial analysis to determine the influences of income, car ownership and economic status on EV take up rates. Data on the installation of EV household chargers are used in this paper as a proxy for EV ownership, due to data limitations. The results indicate that 1) urban areas are more likely to see higher concentrations of EV ownership, 2) an income and equity gap exists between those that have adapted electric mobility. This finding is very important because it suggests that lower income categories may have a financial barrier to shifting to EVs. Highlights: Demonstrates the correlations between equity and EV ownership. Explores how regional income levels impact upon EV density. Commuting characteristics are examined to ascertain their impacts on EV ownership.