AbstractsEngineering

Electric mobility provides promising developments with regard to sustainability problems such as CO2-emission, air pollution and rising fossil fuel prices. However, as a result of the rapid growth of electric vehicles in the Netherlands, challenges are expected for a broad implementation of charging infrastructure in the Netherlands such as electricity peak demand problems and charging point availability. The electric vehicle (EV) user is with his charging behaviour an important parameter in a well-functioning charging system. This research therefore aims at understanding what this charging behaviour looks like and what factors constitute this behaviour, which may help to develop strategies for promoting a more efficient utilization of the charging infrastructure. This research is based on an analysis of a database consisting of data from 965.414 charging transactions, and interviews with 16 Dutch EV drivers. A literature review is performed in order to synthesize the various perspectives on EV charging behaviour, in which six dimensions are identified that conceptualize the concept charging behaviour. These dimensions are the charging point location, the charging point type, the frequency, time of day, duration, and the energy transfer of the charging transaction. These dimensions are, according to the literature, influenced by driver-, vehicle- and environment-related factors. The results show that a large share of EV drivers show a routine charging behaviour, in which charging decisions are based on convenience and habit instead of battery level information. EV drivers show similar charging profiles in which clear peaks are visible at times on which EV drivers start and stop charging transactions simultaneously. EV drivers commonly use charging points that are already known to them, and the battery level does not influence charging decisions of EV drivers. Also, the majority of charging transactions last much longer than required, indicating inefficient use of charging points. Furthermore, EV charging behaviour does not differ between urban and rural Dutch areas. These results implicate that, in order to avoid electricity demand peaks, either the routine charging behaviour could be influenced by use of training and education, or technological solutions such as smart charging technology could utilize the potentials that are present in current Dutch EV charging behaviour such as long charging durations during the night and during work-hours. With regard to charging point availability, the EV driver could be stimulated to unplug the EV when the charging transaction is completed, and semi-public charging points could be used more during the night.