Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States (US) among major economic sectors. That is due to the widespread reliance on petroleum-based vehicles that result in direct emissions. However, the U.S. transportation sector is undergoing a transition to zero-emissions vehicles with electric vehicles having the most promise of wide adoption. Studies have suggested that plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are being adopted not only by high income families, but they continue to be adopted by other income groups across various socio-demographic groups. Overall, PEVs are seeing a growth in adoption fueling the need for other support services such as charging infrastructure.
Just as internal combustion vehicles depend on refueling infrastructure, these new energy vehicles are going to be dependent charging solutions. Studies have indicated that the most important location for PEV charging is at home, followed by work, and then public locations. Studies have found that charging behavior can differ among PEV owners based on their travel patterns, preferences and access to infrastructure and that cost differences in charging options play an important role in the demand for different charging options/ locations. While studies suggest that PEV charging may not impact electricity grids in the short term, charging needs to be managed as PEV adoption increases long term.
A network of publicly available, reliable, convenient, and rapid recharging stations is necessary to facilitate long-distance battery electric vehicle (BEV) trips. Such a national network is beginning to take shape with infrastructure funding made available by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and other State and local initiatives. Most BEVs can meet the energy needs of typical vehicle use in the US with a night-time home charger; however, long-distance BEV trips require a higher amount of energy. While plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can continue to operate without being solely dependent on charging, BEVs are reliant on recharging infrastructure after the battery is depleted. Public direct current fast chargers (DCFCs) can support routine charging for BEV drivers who cannot charge at home and support irregular charging for drivers who miss charging and/or have unplanned trips.
The first chapter of this study focuses on the complex nature of the cost drivers of corridor DCFCs along major transportation corridors. Chapter 2 will focus on developing better metrics to understand charger reliability in the context of DCFCs and aim to first (1), measure the real-world operational reliability of corridor charging stations, and secondly (2), understand the factors that determine better operational reliability of public fast charging stations. Chapter 3 aims to explore the level of reliability that is desirable in the context of drivers who are taking trips and involves a comprehensive modeling approach that considers various attributes of the existing corridor charging network in the United States.