Analyzing the urban-rural divide: Understanding geographic variations in charging behavior for a user-centered EVSE infrastructure

Understanding charging behavior in relation to its geographic locale is crucial for fostering a user-centered and equitable electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) infrastructure. This study employs a comprehensive and multivariate approach to investigate the utilization of public Level 2 electric vehicle chargers, revealing notable differences in charging behavior across provinces and varying urbanity levels in Canada. The findings showcase a clear urban-rural divide in charging behavior, characterized by distinct patterns across different provinces. While a weekly repetitive charging demand pattern is evident, high-demand periods diverge among charging networks. Furthermore, the study identifies charging demand trends within these networks, which display variations in direction and shape. The results of this study indicate that charging behavior is inconsistent between different charging networks, indicating that stakeholders should recognize the necessity of developing individualized and area-specific charging networks to bolster utilization and enhance usability. As the first study, to the best of the authors' knowledge, to explore geographic variations in charging behavioral patterns, this study serves as a crucial stepping stone towards establishing an inclusive, user-centric, and accessible EVSE infrastructure for all.