Abstract
Electric power must become less dependent on fossil fuels and transportation must become more electric to decrease carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. Increasing availability and accessibility of charging stations is predicted to increase purchases of electric vehicles. In order to address the current inadequate charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, major entities must adopt business models for solar powered charging stations (SPCS). These SPCS should be located in parking lots to produce electricity for the grid and provide an integrated infrastructure for charging electric vehicles. Due to the lack of information related to SPCS business models, this manuscript designs several models for major entities including industry, the federal and state government, utilities, universities, and public parking. A literature review of the available relevant business models and case studies of constructed charging stations was completed to support the proposals. In addition, a survey of a university’s students, staff, and faculty was conducted to provide consumer research on people’s opinion of SPCS construction and preference of business model aspects. Results showed that 69% of respondents would be more willing to invest in an electric vehicle if there was sufficient charging station infrastructure at the university. Among many recommendations, the business models suggest installing level 1 charging for the majority of entities, and to match entities’ current pricing structures for station use. The manuscript discusses the impacts of fossil fuel use, and the benefits of electric car and SPCS use, accommodates for the present gap in available literature on SPCS business models, and provides current consumer data for SPCS and the models proposed.
Highlights
Transportation is a major source of outdoor air pollution
In order to decrease carbon emissions by 80%, electric power must be less dependent on fossil fuels and transportation must be electric [5,6]
In order to decrease carbon emissions, electric power must be less dependent on fossil fuels and transportation must be electric
Summary
Transportation is a major source of outdoor air pollution. Transportation accounts for one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions and one-third of US fossil fuel consumption [1]. Carbon dioxide is one of the principal greenhouse gases, which causes global warming and climate change [2]. Eighty-five percent of the high levels of greenhouse gases in the transport sector, including carbon dioxide, can be attributed to vehicle emissions [3]. The atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations in May 2014 reached 401.88 parts per million, 50 parts per million over the safety limit for carbon dioxide levels [2]. In order to slow the rate of climate change and to protect people’s health, the amount of air pollutants must be reduced [4]
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