Informing the Strategic Rollout of Fast Electric Vehicle Charging Networks with User Charging Behavior Data Analysis

Abstract

The range limitations of electric vehicle (EV) technology have given rise to range anxiety, identified as one of the main barriers to EV adoption. Range limitation may be a greater barrier for countries or states that are predominantly rural, with few major urban areas, than it is for large cities. This paper presents data recorded in Ireland on the spatial usage patterns of a fast charging network for an extended period. The data are used to assess how the infrastructure is being used and to examine issues relating to urban versus rural usage patterns. Infrastructure rollout strategies are examined in the context of the main findings from this analysis, and a spatial density analysis is presented to examine how a desired density can influence a rollout strategy. The fast charging requirements of urban users were found to differ from those of rural and commuter groups. Urban users tend to charge their vehicles close to their home as a means of extending their local EV range. EV users from other geographic areas tend to charge their vehicles farther from their home. This work indicates that current rollout strategies based primarily on “electric” highway corridors may not be appropriate for all EV users; different infrastructure rollout strategies based on fast charging facility densities and geographic location may be more appropriate.