Economic and environmental impacts of providing renewable energy for electric vehicle charging – A choice experiment study

Ian Andrew Nienhueser, Yueming Qiu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

96 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study evaluates the potential economic and environmental benefits available by providing renewable energy for electric vehicle charging at public electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE). Willingness to pay (WTP) for charging an electric vehicle using renewable energy was collected through a U.S.-wide online survey of Plugin Electric Vehicle owners and lessees using the choice experiment method. The results indicate a 433% increase in the usage of charging stations if renewable energy was offered. Results also show a mean WTP to upgrade to renewable energy of $0.61 per hour for Level 2 EVSE and $1.82 for Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC). Using Blink public EVSE network as a case study, these usage and WTP values translate directly to an annual gross income increase of 655% from $1.45 million to $9.5 million, with an annual renewable energy credit acquisition cost of $13,700. Simulation results also show significant environmental benefit from emissions reductions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)256-268
Number of pages13
JournalApplied Energy
Volume180
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2016

Keywords

  • Charging station
  • Choice experiment
  • Electric vehicle
  • Renewable energy
  • Willingness to pay

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • General Energy
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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