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

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. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.