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Charging for Charging: The Paradox of Free Charging and its Detrimental Effect on the Use of Electric Vehicles

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  • Nicholas, Michael A
  • Tal, Gil

Abstract

A survey of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) owners was conducted focusing on workplace charging suggesting that pricing and a mix of high and low power chargers could efficiently meet the needs of workplace charging and increase electric vehicle miles traveled (eVMT). Respondents reported that in California, 38% of drivers who have chargers at work are unable to charge at least once per week due to congestion at chargers. When asked about price, answers indicated that 4 chargers would be needed for every 10 vehicles if free, versus 1 chargers for every 10 PEVs if the price were double (assuming 1 charger serves 2 cars/day). Since a price of double that of home electricity is still likely to save money, the implication is that people are using free workplace infrastructure 4 times more than they need to. This usage pattern suggests that that simply charging a small fee could encourage more efficient use of infrastructure. If charging is given away for free to spur the market, level 1 or low power level 2 (similar in power to level 1) could be used to install the maximum number of chargers on an existing electricity panel. Level 2 at work could be priced higher to discourage those who don’t need it. More dependability for BEVs could encourage their sale and use. In the case of PHEVs, they would only use level 2 when needed or default to a lower power alternative.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas, Michael A & Tal, Gil, 2013. "Charging for Charging: The Paradox of Free Charging and its Detrimental Effect on the Use of Electric Vehicles," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt3g5049t4, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt3g5049t4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicholas, Michael A. & Tal, Gil & Woodjack, Justin, 2013. "California Statewide Charging Assessment Model for Plug-in Electric Vehicles: Learning from Statewide Travel Surveys," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt3qz440nr, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    2. Weiller, Claire, 2011. "Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle impacts on hourly electricity demand in the United States," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 3766-3778, June.
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    1. Fetene, Gebeyehu M. & Hirte, Georg & Kaplan, Sigal & Prato, Carlo G. & Tscharaktschiew, Stefan, 2016. "The economics of workplace charging," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 93-118.
    2. Obeid, Hassan & Ozturk, Ayse Tugba & Zeng, Wente & Moura, Scott J., 2023. "Learning and optimizing charging behavior at PEV charging stations: Randomized pricing experiments, and joint power and price optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 351(C).
    3. Tal, Gil & Nicholas, Michael, 2014. "Evaluating the Impact of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Access on Plug-In Vehicles (PEVs) Purchasing and Usage in California," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt7qj101f1, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    4. Hardman, Scott, 2019. "Understanding the Impact of Reoccurring and Non-Financial Incentives on Plug-in Electric Vehicle Adoption – A Review," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt7v13w987, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    5. Hardman, Scott, 2019. "Understanding the impact of reoccurring and non-financial incentives on plug-in electric vehicle adoption – A review," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 1-14.
    6. Garas, Dahlia & Collantes, Gustavo O & Nicholas, Michael A, 2016. "City of Vancouver EV Infrastructure Strategy Report," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt0w90c61t, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.

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