Abstract
Electrification of transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, can produce social and environmental benefits from reduced vehicle emissions and enhanced implementation of renewable electricity as well as private benefits to drivers via reduced vehicle fuel and maintenance costs compared to conventional vehicles. We conducted a survey of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) drivers on the Uber platform in the US. This paper describes these drivers and their experiences to further understanding of motivations for and barriers to PEV adoption among TNC drivers. The TNC-PEV drivers in this sample clearly recognized, and were largely motivated by, economic benefits of fuel and maintenance savings, thus, increased net earnings, associated with using a PEV to provide ride-hailing services rather than a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. Most drivers reported charging their PEV every day, most often at home and overnight. This is true even of those with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can run on gas if not charged. Increased electric driving range topped the list of drivers’ wishes to better support PEVs on TNCs, and range limitations topped the list of reasons why PHEV drivers did not opt for a battery electric vehicle (BEV; that runs exclusively on electricity). The second most common wish among all PEV drivers was for more charger locations.
Highlights
There is some evidence that the introduction of transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, has had positive environmental impacts through reduced vehicle ownership and emissions [1]
The fuel and maintenance cost advantages are higher with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) compared to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can run on either gas or electricity
Some of these plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption barriers as well as benefits may be heightened for the TNC use case
Summary
There is some evidence that the introduction of transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, has had positive environmental impacts through reduced vehicle ownership and emissions [1]. The fuel and maintenance cost advantages are higher with battery electric (i.e., all-electric) vehicles (BEVs) compared to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can run on either gas or electricity Some of these PEV adoption barriers as well as benefits may be heightened for the TNC use case. Factoring in costs for fast charging needs of BEVs used intensively for ride-hailing services, Pavlenko et al [13] estimate that BEVs do not yet surpass hybrid vehicles in terms of economic advantage for ride-hailing use They estimate that BEVs will reach cost parity with hybrids in 2023 (due to decrease in battery costs) for users who can charge at home at night, but not until after 2025 for users relying only on public charging, and conclude that in the interim, TNCs and policymakers will need to provide more affordable fast charging infrastructure to support TNC electrification. A greater understanding of these should have policy implications in terms of reasonable assumptions and goals for TNC electric passenger vehicle-milestraveled (eVMT), as well as implications for strategies to promote PEV adoption among ride-hailing drivers
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