An outlook of electric vehicle daily use in the framework of an energy management system

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a prospective study of sustainable mobility in the framework of a supporting energy management systems (EMS). Technological advances are still required, namely electric vehicles (EV) endowed with improved EMS in order to increase their performance by making the most of available energy storage technologies. As EVs may be seen as a special domestic load, EMS are proposed based on demand-sensitive pricing strategies such as the Energy Box discussed in this paper. Design/methodology/approach – The study presents an overview of electric mobility and an urban EV project, with special focus on the utilization of its energy sources and their relation with the energy demand of a typical urban driving cycle. Results based on the ECE 15 standard driving cycle for different free market electricity tariffs are presented. Findings – The analysis based on present Portuguese power and energy tariffs reveals that it is highly questionable whether the resulting profit will be enough to justify the potential inconveniences to the vehicle user, as well as those resulting from the increased use of batteries. Practical implications – The conclusions indicate that more studies on the trade-offs between grid to vehicle and vehicle to grid schemes and electricity pricing mechanisms are needed in order to understand how the utilization of EVs can become more attractive in the end-users’ and utilities’ perspectives. Originality/value – The paper proposes an approach for future electricity tariff behavior that could be applied to EVs in order to understand whether or not their grid integration in charge and discharge situations would be beneficial for end-users and utilities, in the framework of smart energy management technologies.