Evaluating the Impact of Public Charging Reliability on Electric Vehicle Adoption

Abstract

Substantial investments are being directed toward the development of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, but there is growing concern regarding the reliability of these chargers. While several recent studies have documented instances of unreliable chargers, there is no established understanding of the impact of such reliability issues on EV adoption rates. This research aims to fill this gap by examining the influence of perceived reliability of public charging stations on the propensity of potential buyers to adopt electric vehicles. Leveraging data collected from an original nationwide survey conducted between March and April 2024, this study employs a comprehensive analytical framework, combining a two-stage least squares approach with an integrated choice and latent variable model. The findings underscore the critical role of robust public charging infrastructure in fostering EV adoption. Specifically, the study quantifies the ramifications of low perceptions of reliability based on purchase price, operating costs, range, and charging availability, providing insights into the extent to which poor reliability can impede EV market share growth, and offering justification for investments into improving the reliability of public chargers.