The configuration of charging stations: What do potential users want?

As a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the transport sector, the German govern-ment has initiated programs for the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) and the installation of charging infra-structure. A harmonized solution for vehicle authentication, payment methods, and pricing models is required since currently available charging stations are highly heterogeneous resulting in challenges for EV users and potentially in dissatisfying charging experiences. To provide recommendations for charging station operators and transport policy measures, a stated preference experiment was designed. In computer-assisted personal in-terviews, 450 respondents were provided with choice tasks with different configurations, where they indicated their preferences by choosing the most preferred charging station. Results from a mixed multinomial logit model indicate that future charging stations should enable vehicle authentication via the charging cable (Plug&Charge), provide card-based payment (debit or credit card), and charge per amount of electricity (kWh). Further, higher shares of renewable energy at charging stations are preferred and tend to increase the acceptance of EVs.

Automated summary

The German government has initiated programs to promote electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. A harmonized solution is needed for vehicle authentication, payment, and pricing at charging stations, which are currently highly heterogeneous. A stated preference experiment was conducted to provide recommendations for charging station operators and transport policy measures. The results indicate that future charging stations should enable vehicle authentication via the charging cable, provide card-based payment, charge per amount of electricity, and have higher shares of renewable energy.