Requesting control and flexibility: Exploring Swedish user perspectives of electric vehicle smart charging

The electrification of several sectors and the increasing role of volatile energy production mean that future energy systems will have to balance supply and demand to a higher degree. The increasing use of electric vehicles in particular will pose both challenges and opportunities for energy systems. Smart electric vehicle charging and user flexibility have been proposed as potential remedies for future imbalances in energy consumption, but the success of such remedies requires close collaboration between users and system operators. In smart charging schemes, users are expected to relinquish their control over charging while also being more flexible in their energy use. This study constitutes a mixed method case study, in which supplier-managed charging was tested at public charging stations and followed by three surveys (N = 1428, N = 24, N = 31) and semi-structured in-terviews (N = 27). The data was analyzed through statistical tests and by applying the framework of knowledge and perceptions. The data sets were then compared by using the concept of flexibility capital, in order to explore the flexibility capacity of users. The results show that while the participants were positive toward smart charging as a concept, the technology was also associated with uncertainty and anxiety. Furthermore, while the partici-pants were willing to relinquish some control, their capacity for flexible energy use was dependent on factors beyond their direct control, including working patterns, financial resources, and access to charging stations. The conclusion is that the implementation and optimization of smart charging schemes are reliant not only on user attitudes but also on the extent to which these factors can be compensated for to facilitate user flexibility and avoid unfair flexibility markets.

Automated summary

The future energy systems need to balance supply and demand more effectively due to the electrification of various sectors and the growing role of volatile energy production. The increasing use of electric vehicles poses both challenges and opportunities for energy systems. Smart electric vehicle charging and user flexibility have been suggested as potential solutions, but their success relies on close collaboration between users and system operators. This study investigates the implementation of supplier-managed charging and its impact on user attitudes and flexibility. The results show that although participants have a positive view of smart charging, they also associate it with uncertainty and anxiety. The capacity for flexible energy use is influenced by factors beyond users' direct control, such as working patterns, financial resources, and access to charging stations. To optimize smart charging schemes, it is crucial to consider not only user attitudes but also factors that can facilitate user flexibility and prevent unfair flexibility markets.