Date: February 1, 2024
Author(s): Ning Zhang, Yueshuai He, Qinhua Jiang, Jiaqi Ma
Abstract
Transportation systems are undergoing a fundamental transition toward electrification. The shift to electrification, characterized by the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), the expansion of charging infrastructure, and the integration of renewable energy sources, has the potential to yield significant societal benefits. These include climate change mitigation, alleviation of air pollution, and enhancements in overall human well-being. However, the existing infrastructure related to transportation electrification, particularly in the domain of public chargers, remains inadequate to support this sweeping transition. This insufficiency has led to inconvenient EV charging experiences, impeded the establishment of a comprehensive nationwide charger network, and resulted in disparities in charging accessibility across diverse communities.
About the Project
The project aims to present an in-depth understanding of the public EV charging infrastructure in the present and future transportation electrification for public agencies, such as SCAG. One contribution is to provide an integrated eTranSym tool, which can simulate the travel and charging behaviors of every EV user, assess disparities in charging infrastructure distribution among communities, and predict the future demand for public charging facilities. The eTranSym tool helps prioritize underserved communities and assists the spatial-varying investment of the public charging infrastructure.