01659679

Component

The way in which battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are recharged represents a behaviour change for consumers compared to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). BEVs take many hours to recharge, this is typically done with a home charge outlet, ICEVs are refuelled in a matter of minutes at a centralised refuelling station. The common conception is that BEV recharging is a shortcoming, due to long charge times, short ranges and a lack of charging infrastructure. This idea comes about from studies of BEVs with ranges of 100 miles or less, however the market now contains BEVs with ranges of more than 200 miles. This paper conducts in-depth qualitative interviews with adopters of these longer range BEVs so that light can be shed upon this issue. The findings from this study are that contrary to the existing literature BEV recharging is beneficial to adopters. This is due to consumers perceiving it as easier, quicker, more convenient and because they do not have to visit a centralised refuelling station. These benefits are only realised after adoption has occurred, therefore measures should be taken so that consumers are aware of these before adoption, and this may lead to increased uptake of BEVs.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADC80 Standing Committee on Alternative Transportation Fuels and Technologies.

18-01318

English

0000-0002-0476-7909

17p

2018

Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Attitudes; Consumer behavior; Electric vehicle charging; Electric vehicles

Adoption models

Energy; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Vehicles and Equipment

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2018 Paper #18-01318

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 8 2018 10:20AM