Abstract
This study collects data on electric vehicle (EV) charging piles for various provinces in China and analyzes the development of the network of EV chargers from the perspective of a complex network. Features of the distribution of EV charging piles for the period from May 2016 to April 2019 and the spatio-temporal variations across provinces are thus analyzed. The study then transforms time-series data of the EV charging piles into a complex network by applying a visibility graph, uses several clustering methods to categorize different provinces, and predicts the future development of the network of EV charging piles in China. Additionally, the distribution of EV charging piles across time is analyzed for a combination of national policies and new-energy vehicles. The results of the study will guide provincial governments in creating policies that develop relevant industries progressively and promote the sustainable development of EVs and green-energy industry.
Highlights
Electronic vehicles (EVs) are universally recognized as a practical solution to the problems of reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the global sector of transportation [1]
The strengths and clustering coefficients of the three networks are similar, with medium values having the highest frequency, which indicates that the development of the network of EV charging piles is steady and provinces in China are well connected and coordinated in the advance of EV infrastructure
The results show that the closeness centrality and degree of centrality of these provinces, which are accelerating development areas in Guidance on the Development of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure 2015–2020 issued by the National Development and Reform Commission of China in 2015, are relatively high
Summary
Electronic vehicles (EVs) are universally recognized as a practical solution to the problems of reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the global sector of transportation [1]. As new-energy vehicles are being promoted in China, the construction of charging piles, as important infrastructure, has gradually attracted attention. Cities have successively introduced preferential policies and measures that promote the development of the charging pile industry, and the construction of charging piles in China has undergone explosive growth, from 33,000 piles in 2014 to 777,000 piles in 2018, which is growth of more than 200% in 4 years. This paper gives a new perspective of complex network to study the growing distribution of EVs and charging piles in China. This study investigates the historical development of China’s new-energy vehicles and charging piles from May 2016 to April 2019 and how local policies have affected the distribution of EVs in China. Combined with the model results, policies and characteristics of provinces, it is believed that the results of this study will provide a reference for the rapid development of charging piles in China. Conclusion presents what we do in this study, our findings and expectations
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