Multi-agent Simulation for Promoting Clean Energy Vehicles from the Perspective of Concern for the Environment and Local Interactions

Abstract

Clean energy vehicles (CEVs) such as EV or PHV should be promoted for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. However, it is important to note that social interactions affect the promotion of CEVs. Therefore, a multiagent simulation system for promoting CEVs has been developed in the present study from the perspective of not only concern for the environment but also for local interaction processes in terms of social conformity. Intention of holding CEV is described with the database of the questionnaire survey about purchasing vehicles. The social network of the artificial society is described as a small-world network model. The time series changes of the numbers of clean energy vehicles and the volume of greenhouse gas emissions are estimated by the proposed multiagent simulation. Finally, it can be concluded that the proposed multiagent simulation with local interaction is useful for promoting the planning of CEVs.