Finding suitable locations for charging stations

Abstract

One of the most significant reasons for the current low market penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) is the insufficient charging infrastructure. Although many EV users have a charging possibility at home and the range of these vehicles would be adequate for most drivers' usage patterns, EV users demand a charging infrastructure similar to that of filling stations. This is mainly due to the range anxiety phenomena, describing EV users' concerns about not reaching a planned destination due to a discharged battery. In order to distribute the charging stations at suitable sites with high visibility, thereby reducing these concerns, we suggest an approach for implementing customers' preferences into a facility location planning model. Our model is evaluated using the example of an urban area, considering both quantitative (e.g., traffic density) and qualitative characteristics. The allocation model developed was able to identify suitable sites for the allocation of charging stations, providing decision support for both governments and providers.