The potential for community financed electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azarova, Valeriya; Cohen, Jed J.; Kollmann, Andrea; Reichl, Johannes
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 88(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Electric vehicles -- Charging points -- Charging infrastructure -- Energy transition -- Community finance -- Social innovation; Transportation -- Research -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 354.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2020.102541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-9209

Abstract

Highlights: A new business model combining advantages of private and public charging is analyzed. Data on 3131 respondents is used to evaluate preferences for specific attributes. Key differences for current PEV owners and future adopters identified. Target groups for community financed charging are suggested. Abstract: Charging infrastructure is one of the key ingredients necessary to further increase the market uptake of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). Most public charging infrastructure in Europe is not profitable, and 42% of European households reside in dwellings with no possibility to install a private charger, which are key limitations to the build-up of charging infrastructure. This work presents and analyzes an alternative business model for 'community-owned charging points' that combines many of the convenience advantages of private charging with the cost savings of a joint purchase. Survey data from 3, 131 households in Austria is used to identify barriers to PEV charging and charging infrastructure usage, and investigate consumers' preferences with respect to community-owned charging points. Four key target groups of customers for such a business model are identified based on their socio-economic characteristics, purchase history, and expressed level of environmental concerns, including current PEV owners, high income households, photovoltaic (PV) owners, and environmentalists. Identified distinct preferences for the configuration of a collective charging station amongst these groups include lower importance attached to flexibility to charge the vehicles at any time by current PEV owners, higher sensitivity to cost per charge of PV owners, and strong preferences for comfort and flexibility demonstrated by high income households.