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Key research themes
1. How do plug-in electric vehicles impact power grid capacity, load patterns, and energy generation mixes, and how can these impacts be managed?
This research theme investigates the effects of increasing penetration of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), on regional and local power grids. It focuses on how varying charging times, charging rates, and user behavior influence grid loading, peak demand, reserve margins, and the generation technologies required to meet new electricity demand. The theme also encompasses strategies such as controlled charging, demand response, vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and vehicle-to-home (V2H) services to mitigate negative impacts and optimally integrate PEVs with renewable energy sources. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for infrastructure planning, minimizing electricity system costs, and maximizing environmental benefits of vehicle electrification.
Key finding: By simulating seven scenarios per region across 2020 and 2030, the study finds that evening charging of PHEVs at higher power levels significantly increases peak demand and reduces reserve margins, necessitating additional... Read more
Key finding: Using real household consumption and plug-in hybrid electrical vehicle (PEV) data, the study demonstrates that progressive EV integration—up to one million vehicles in Portugal—can be absorbed by the grid when coordinated... Read more
Key finding: The paper shows through detailed simulation models that electric vehicles equipped with on-board motor inverters can provide vehicle-to-home (V2H) services such as peak shaving and emergency backup, thereby supporting local... Read more
Key finding: This work develops a smart home energy management system incorporating PEVs, photovoltaic generation, and stationary batteries, optimizing vehicle-to-grid power deployment. By integrating bi-directional energy flows with... Read more
Key finding: The paper provides a balanced technical discussion on the feasibility of using electric vehicle batteries as distributed electricity storage within deregulated power systems through vehicle-to-grid concepts. It highlights the... Read more
2. What factors influence consumer preferences for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles versus battery electric vehicles, and how do these affect market adoption?
This theme explores the behavioral and demographic factors shaping consumer preferences between PHEVs, which have combined electric and internal combustion powertrains, and BEVs, which rely solely on battery electric power. Research focuses on how economic considerations (e.g., fuel cost savings), environmental attitudes, driving range expectations, and recharge infrastructure availability guide potential buyers’ choices. Understanding these factors informs targeted policy incentives and infrastructure investments to accelerate differentiated adoption trajectories for PHEVs and BEVs.
Key finding: Survey analysis of over 1,000 US drivers reveals that potential PHEV buyers emphasize economic benefits such as lower gasoline and maintenance costs and reduced range anxiety, while potential BEV buyers are motivated by... Read more
Key finding: The study highlights that improvements in recharge availability, particularly at home and workplace locations, can reduce range anxiety, increase willingness to pay, and thus accelerate BEV-PHEV market growth. The analysis... Read more
Key finding: In Malaysia, consumer adoption of PHEVs remains nascent but is influenced by price sensitivity, environmental awareness, and government policies promoting green technology. Consumers show preference for PHEVs if costs... Read more
3. Which vehicle and operational parameters most significantly influence plug-in electric vehicle energy consumption, range, cost competitiveness, and user utility?
This theme investigates how vehicle design (battery size, powertrain configuration), driver behavior (charging frequency, driving style, daily mileage), environmental conditions (climate impacts), and energy prices collectively determine PEV energy efficiency, utility factor (UF), operational costs, and range anxiety. The research characterizes how these variables interact to influence overall consumer costs and emissions, providing models to predict real-world usage effectiveness and optimize vehicle and infrastructure design.
Key finding: The study advances analytic models generalizing the utility factor (UF) of PHEVs by integrating actual daily charging frequency and all-electric range (AER), showing that standard UF curves often overestimate electric miles... Read more
Key finding: Based on experimental measurements of an Edison EV, the study identifies vehicle weight, battery capacity, driver behavior, environmental temperature, and route profile as key determinants of energy consumption and driving... Read more
Key finding: Field data from Jakarta metropolitan area shows PHEVs achieve optimal fuel efficiency at driving ranges of 55–80 km, outperforming HEVs by approximately 30% in fuel consumption. Economic simulation indicates current PHEV... Read more