Understanding charging duration patterns of electric vehicle users: Evidence from an Australian field study

Abstract

In this study, we examine the charging location and duration choices made by Australian electric vehicle owners over a one-week period. To do so, we employ a multivariate multiple discrete-grouped extreme value (MDGEV) model (Bhat et al., 2020) that allows the simultaneous evaluation of where and for how long vehicles are charged across multiple locations, while also capturing potential correlation effects among charging sites. Further, state dependent variables are incorporated into the specification to capture habit persistence effects, whereby past charging choices influence subsequent decisions. The empirical findings indicate that solar panel ownership increases the likelihood of home charging but is associated with shorter charging durations compared with households without photovoltaic access. Residing in major cities is found to be linked to a greater reliance on non-home charging, confirming the prolonged challenges faced by electric vehicle owners in densely populated urban areas. Habit persistence is estimated to play a key role in the charging-decision making process, with EV owners exhibiting routine behaviour when selecting the facility for their next charging activities. The estimated results are next used to investigate how charging duration patterns change under the universal adoption of solar panels and flexible electricity plans, revealing that both policies will impact the rate and duration of charging across locations.