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Who Is Buying Electric Cars in California? Exploring Household and Vehicle Fleet Characteristics of New Plug-In Vehicle Owners

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  • Tal, Gil
  • Nicholas, Michael A.
  • Woodjack, Justin
  • Scrivano, Daniel

Abstract

For many years researchers have been trying to predict who would purchase electric vehicles such as plug-in hybrids (PHEV) or battery electric vehicles (BEV). This study explores the characteristics of 1,200 households who actually purchased a new plug-in vehicle in California during 2011-2012. These households are not part of a small scale demonstration project or a limited study, rather part of the new developing market for plug-in vehicles. Most of the owners purchased the Nissan LEAF, a BEV, while small portion of the sample purchased a Chevrolet Volt, a PHEV, or a Tesla roadster, also a BEV. We use the 2009 National household Travel Survey to compare the new plug-in car buyer’s characteristics to the general population and new car buyers in California. We focus on socio-demographic, vehicle fleet characteristics, regional and location factors, and purchasing motivations factors. The result of this study can be used to improve the modeling process of the potential demand for plug-in vehicles and the derived demand for charging and to help in evaluating the impact of policies to increase the demand for these vehicles.

Suggested Citation

  • Tal, Gil & Nicholas, Michael A. & Woodjack, Justin & Scrivano, Daniel, 2013. "Who Is Buying Electric Cars in California? Exploring Household and Vehicle Fleet Characteristics of New Plug-In Vehicle Owners," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt70f4r9wc, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt70f4r9wc
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Khan, Mobashwir & Kockelman, Kara M., 2012. "Predicting the market potential of plug-in electric vehicles using multiday GPS data," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 225-233.
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    1. Canepa, Kathryn & Hardman, Scott & Tal, Gil, 2019. "An early look at plug-in electric vehicle adoption in disadvantaged communities in California," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 19-30.
    2. Münzel, Christiane & Plötz, Patrick & Sprei, Frances & Gnann, Till, 2019. "How large is the effect of financial incentives on electric vehicle sales? – A global review and European analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    3. Kelley, Scott & Kuby, Michael, 2013. "On the way or around the corner? Observed refueling choices of alternative-fuel drivers in Southern California," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 258-267.
    4. Clinton, Bentley C. & Steinberg, Daniel C., 2019. "Providing the Spark: Impact of financial incentives on battery electric vehicle adoption," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    5. Ji, Dandan & Gan, Hongcheng, 2022. "Effects of providing total cost of ownership information on below-40 young consumers’ intent to purchase an electric vehicle: A case study in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    6. Yunwen Feng & Jean-Daniel Saphores & Hilary Nixon & Monica Ramirez Ibarra, 2024. "Battery Electric Vehicles: Travel Characteristics of Early Adopters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-23, May.
    7. Srinivasa Raghavan, Seshadri, 2020. "Behavioral Realism of Plug-In Electric Vehicle Usage: Implications for Emission Benefits, Energy Consumption, and Policies," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt1rz000pf, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.

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