01158839

Component

We present here a prototype of a spatially explicit and socially embedded agent based model to study plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) penetration under a variety of scenarios. Heterogeneous agents decide whether or not to buy a PHEV by weighing environmental benefits and financial considerations (based on their personal driving habits, their projections of future gas prices, and how accurately they can compute lifetime fuel costs), subject to various social influences. Proof-of-concept results are presented to illustrate the types of questions which could be addressed by such a model, and how they may help to inform policy-makers and/or vehicle manufacturers. For example, our results indicate that simple web-based tools for helping consumers to more accurately estimate relative fuel costs could dramatically increase PHEV penetration. We identify new types of data that must be collected and future model extensions (including additional vehicle models, manufacturer and dealer agents, and up-scaling to larger regions) in order to make such a model more reflective of current and future U.S. vehicle consumers.

01147878

10-3303

English

0000-0003-4123-5028

13p

2010

Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (4) ; References (33) ; Tables (1)

Consumer behavior; Consumer preferences; Cost estimating; Costs; Demographics; Electric vehicles; Externalities; Hybrid vehicles; Market share; Plug-in hybrid vehicles; Socioeconomic factors

Data and Information Technology; Highways; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2010 Paper #10-3303

BTRIS, TRIS, TRB

Jan 25 2010 11:39AM