Many public charging stations for electric vehicles in the United States are slow chargers installed at the premises of pre-existing businesses such as grocery stores or restaurants. This paper investigates the incentives of these retail businesses to install and operate charging stations.First, we observe that existing pricing schedules for slow charging stations in the U.S. significantly depart from both first-best and monopoly pricing. We argue that this may be interpreted as evidence that many hosting facilities install charging stations primarily as a strategy to attract more customers to their core business.Second, we use an imperfect competition model to study retail businesses' incentives to invest in charging stations.We show that hosting facilities may be trapped in a prisoner's dilemma where investing in a charging station decreases their profit in the long run. However, the equilibrium level of investments in public charging stations need not differ from the socially optimal outcome.
Planning the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) is a new challenging task. This book treats all involved aspects: charging technologies and norms, interactions with the electricity system, electrical installation, demand for charging infrastructure, economics of public infrastructure provision, policies in Germany and the EU, external effects, stakeholder cooperation, spatial planning on the regional and street level, operation and maintenance, and long term spatial planning.
For a century, almost all light-duty vehicles (LDVs) have been powered by internal combustion engines operating on petroleum fuels. Energy security concerns about petroleum imports and the effect of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on global climate are driving interest in alternatives. Transitions to Alternative Vehicles and Fuels assesses the potential for reducing petroleum consumption and GHG emissions by 80 percent across the U.S. LDV fleet by 2050, relative to 2005. This report examines the current capability and estimated future performance and costs for each vehicle type and non-petroleum-based fuel technology as options that could significantly contribute to these goals. By analyzing scenarios that combine various fuel and vehicle pathways, the report also identifies barriers to implementation of these technologies and suggests policies to achieve the desired reductions. Several scenarios are promising, but strong, and effective policies such as research and development, subsidies, energy taxes, or regulations will be necessary to overcome barriers, such as cost and consumer choice.
Focusing on technical, policy and social/societal practices and innovations for electrified transport for personal, public and freight purposes, this book provides a state-of-the-art overview of developments in e-mobility in Europe and the West Coast of the USA. It serves as a learning base for further implementing and commercially developing this field for the benefit of society, the environment and public health, as well as for economic development and private industry. A fast-growing, interdisciplinary sector, electric mobility links engineering, infrastructure, environment, transport and sustainable development. But despite the relevance of the topic, few publications have ever attempted to document or promote the wide range of electric mobility initiatives and projects taking place today. Addressing this need, this publication consists of case studies, reports on technological developments and examples of successful infrastructure installation in cities, which document current initiatives and serve as an inspiration for others.
This book covers alternative fuels and their utilization strategies in internal combustion engines. The main objective of this book is to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the production and utilization aspects of different types of liquid and gaseous alternative fuels. In the last few years, methanol and DME have gained significant attention of the energy sector, because of their capability to be utilized in different types of engines. This book will be a valuable resource for researchers and practicing engineers alike.
Electric vehicles (EVs) today are a small part of the U.S. transportation fleet. Technological advancements, automotive industry investments and state policies are driving increased transportation electrification. Bloomberg New Energy Finance projects that by 2040, 55 percent of new sales of automobiles worldwide will be EVs. Increased transportation demand for electricity will require additional investments in the distribution system and will impact the bulk power system as load profiles change. At the same time, managed EV charging and discharging can make more efficient use of distribution system assets and increase grid flexibility. EVs also hold promise for lowering transportation costs and reducing air emissions. Infrastructure needs to electrify transportation across the United States far exceed current investment plans by EV charging companies, the public sector and others. Utilities are building "make-ready" infrastructure to ease development of public charging stations and offering rates tailored for EVs, and some utilities are directly investing in charging stations. The growth of EVs raises a number of questions for policymakers and others: How much public charging infrastructure will be needed, where should it be built and when will it be used? What role should utilities play in developing the infrastructure, compared to EV charging companies? How should charging infrastructure costs be allocated among utility customers? How should electricity rates be set to encourage efficient grid use and minimize negative grid impacts? How are states preparing for increasing electrification of the transportation sector? This report in the Future Electric Utility Regulation series from Berkeley Lab, The Future of Transportation Electrification: Utility, Industry and Consumer Perspectives, tackles these questions and more. The report approaches the issues from three perspectives: utilities, the EV charging industry and consumers.
Bridging the technical and the economical worlds of the energy sector and establishing a solid understanding of today's energy supply as a complex system– with these missions in mind, the book at hand compactly describes the fundamentals of electrical power supply in a dialogue between technology and non-technology, between academia and practitioners, and between nations and continents. Today, energy supply is a complex global system – it is time for a dialogue of the disciplines. In this book, experts explain in an understandable manner the technical foundations and selected specific aspects of today's electrical power supply. Each chapter supplies a fundamental introduction in layman's terms to the topic and serves technical specialists both as a reference and as an opportunity to expand their knowledge. Practical examples and case studies complete the compendium. Technology and economics in the energy sector work on the same questions out of different perspectives. The increasing complexity and interconnections and the epochal upheavals in the energy sector make a comprehensive understanding of the energy sector as a system an essential requirement. This necessitates an ongoing and successful dialogue between the disciplines and between academia and practitioners. To that aim, this book serves both as a compact reference for everyone interested in the energy sector and as a true translation aid between the professional disciplines.
In the inexorable march towards a sustainable and electrified future, the role of electric vehicles (EVs) stands prominently at the forefront of innovation. As the automotive landscape undergoes a transformative shift, so does the infrastructure that powers this evolution. "The Future of EV Charging" is an immersive exploration into the dynamic realm of electric vehicle charging, unraveling its intricate past, decoding the present landscape, and forecasting the compelling future that lies ahead. The journey commences with a historical odyssey, tracing the emergence of experimental electric carriages in the mid-19th century. Pioneers like Thomas Parker and Gustave Trouvé take center stage, their contributions serving as foundational stones in the narrative of early electric vehicle development. We navigate through the bustling streets of cities like London and Paris, witnessing the introduction of electric taxis and delivery vehicles, marking a significant chapter in the urban integration of EVs. Chapter by chapter, the book unfolds the technological tapestry of EV charging. From the various types of charging stations - Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast chargers - to the intricacies of charging connectors and standards, readers are guided through the evolving landscape of charging technology. Smart charging solutions, an essential facet of the contemporary charging infrastructure, are unraveled, showcasing how connectivity and data analytics are shaping the future of electric mobility. Delving deeper, the book explores market trends and opportunities, dissecting the global growth of the EV market, dissecting government incentives, and unearthing the vast business prospects within the EV charging industry. It's a comprehensive journey into the driving forces behind the surge in EV demand, the importance of government incentives and regulations, and the significant investments in charging infrastructure. The subsequent chapters offer a blueprint for those seeking to venture into the world of EV charging. From planning and strategizing an EV charging business to the intricacies of building and managing charging stations, the book serves as a guide for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers navigating the burgeoning EV ecosystem. Through case studies and success stories, the book introduces readers to industry trailblazers, providing insights into their strategies, innovations, and the challenges they've overcome. The appendix acts as a valuable resource, offering additional reading materials, useful websites, and a glossary of terms to assist both novices and seasoned enthusiasts in navigating the evolving language of EV charging. "The Future of EV Charging" is not just a book; it's a roadmap to an electrified future, a future where sustainable transportation is not merely a concept but an everyday reality. As electric vehicles continue to reshape the automotive landscape, this book serves as a guiding beacon, illuminating the path towards a future where EV charging infrastructure is seamlessly integrated into the fabric of our daily lives.
We study how the placement of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations impacts foot traffic at neighboring brick-and-mortar businesses. Our analysis focuses on the Tesla Supercharger network within the United States. We employ a differences-in-differences design, exploiting the staggered construction of Supercharger stations to quantify the effect. We implement a variety of robustness checks, including alternative estimators and matching techniques. Further, we document heterogeneity in the impact, based on business and Supercharger characteristics, as well as other contextual factors. We estimate that Superchargers yield a 4% increase in average monthly visits to nearby businesses. These effects are primarily attributable to higher-income customers and weekend visits, consistent with the typical Tesla / EV customer profile, and charge pattern. We also find that the effects accrue most heavily to grocery and convenience stores, rather than restaurants. Our study provides novel, robust evidence of the demand spillovers that offline retailers can obtain from EV charging infrastructure. We draw insights and implications for EV networks, retailers, and policymakers around efforts to expand EV charging infrastructure and consumer adoption of EVs.
