Spatial adaptability evaluation and optimal location of electric vehicle charging stations: A win-win view from urban travel dynamics

Abstract

The contradiction between charging stations (CSs) and electric vehicles (EVs) is a “chicken-and-egg” problem. Multiple factors and stakeholders, including the goals of the government's industry planning, CS operators' profits, and EV consumers' charging demand, influence the CS layout. Using multisource open data, this study proposes a time series optimization layout model based on the supply-demand balance by constructing EV customers' urban travel dynamics index and CS adaptability index. The results show that: the supply-demand imbalance is widespread in Shenzhen, a Chinese city. The “mismatch”, “unmatch” and “overmatch” of CSs are prevalent. Addressing this supply-demand imbalance will help reduce consumer concerns regarding “range anxiety”. Facing potential future power supply constraints, the government needs to expand the existing CS development strategy to include battery swap stations (BSs) and mobile charging stations (MCSs).