Charging patterns and motives of electric vehicle drivers: Insights from Norway

Abstract

As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) grows, understanding charging behavior becomes important due to increasing charging demand and grid load. Based on a population-based survey with 1,005 Norwegian EV drivers, we uncover three classes of (revealed) charging behavior: daily convenient chargers, battery-exploiting seldom chargers, and occasional battery-friendly planners. The first class consists of EV drivers who typically use every opportunity to keep the battery level of their EV between 40 % and 100 % and charge mainly at home or work. The second class includes drivers who charge their EV 2–3 times per week or rarely, carry out charging according to their driving needs, wait until the battery level is low (<30 %), and charge at home or in public. By planning their charging needs, holding the battery at an optimal level of 30 %–80 %, conducting charging 4–5 times per week, and mostly at home, the third group reflects the most sustainable and battery-friendly behavior. Our findings revealed that EV drivers who are male, have longer EV driving experience, drive longer distances, are socially less persuadable, and do not seize the available potential to charge rarely, are more likely to be daily convenient chargers than battery-friendly chargers. Meanwhile, EV drivers with lower daily mileage, who perceive guidance from their charging apps as less helpful, find it easy to start charging at a low battery level and have a higher general risk propensity are more likely to be battery-exploiting seldom chargers than battery-friendly planners.