Impact of convenient away-from-home charging infrastructure

Abstract

This work uses market analysis and simulation to explore the potential impact of workplace and similarly convenient away-from-home charging infrastructure (CAFHCI) in reducing US light duty vehicle (LDV) petroleum use and greenhouse gas emissions. The ParaChoice model simulates the evolution of LDV sales, fuel use, and emissions through 2050, considering consumer responses to different options of electric range extension made available through CAFHCI, fraction of the population with access, and delay in infrastructure implementation. Results indicate that providing a greater fraction of the population access to CAFHCI at level 1 charging rates for a full workday (∼16–20 miles of range extension) may lead to more petroleum use reduction than providing level 2 charging to a lesser fraction. This result holds even considering the fraction of the population without at-home charging. 2050 battery electric vehicle sales increase 40% (85%) if the entire population is guaranteed daily access to one full workday of level 1 CAFHCI (half a workday of level 2, ∼80 miles of range extension). Plug-in hybrid sales increase when CAFHCI enables range extension below 20–40 miles/day, most significantly in households without at-home charging capability. Faster CAFHCI may decrease plug-in hybrid sales as less expensive BEVs become attractive to a greater fraction of the market.