The role of users' privacy concerns in the decision for smart battery electric vehicle charging

Abstract

As the availability of electricity from renewable sources in the power grid can fluctuate greatly, smart charging of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is an effective approach to balance the grid. However, user centred smart BEV charging requires detailed settings of the BEV drivers’ mobility and consumption needs as well as the collection and processing of personal data. This may lead to privacy concerns among users and reduce their willingness to use smart BEV charging. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of users’ privacy concerns in the decision for smart BEV charging. To this end, an online questionnaire study with N = 103 participants was conducted in Germany in 2023. The sample consisted of 62 women and 41 men, with an average age of 31 years (SD = 15.52; Min = 18 years; Max = 67 years). Participants were well educated and had on average 3,625 km driving experience with BEVs (SD = 7,397.13; Min = 0 km; Max = 38,000 km) within the last 12 months. Results revealed that smart BEV charging was perceived as significantly more critical in terms of data disclosure as conventional charging (p ≤ .043). The possibility of unauthorized persons gaining access to personal data was rated as the highest risk followed by the identity of possible data recipients compared to the possibility of data loss (p < .01). Further, participants’ perceived criticality of data disclosure significantly predicted their willingness to participate in smart BEV charging when controlling for participants BEV driving and charging experience (Radj2 = .075, F(3,102) = 3.8, p = .013). Within this study, we provided first empirical evidence that participants’ concerns regarding privacy emerged as a potential obstacle to their willingness to engage in smart BEV charging practices. Finally, we show strategies for reducing privacy concerns and increasing the willingness to participate in smart BEV charging.