Rural vs. Urban: How Urbanicity Shapes Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior in Rhode Island

A ubiquitous network of charging stations is vital to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the achievement of a low-carbon transportation system. Currently, the availability of EV infrastructure differs significantly between communities as planning procedures are not necessarily eq...

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Main Authors: Tim Jonas, Oluwatosin Okele, Gretchen A. Macht
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:World Electric Vehicle Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/16/1/21
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author Tim Jonas
Oluwatosin Okele
Gretchen A. Macht
author_facet Tim Jonas
Oluwatosin Okele
Gretchen A. Macht
author_sort Tim Jonas
collection DOAJ
description A ubiquitous network of charging stations is vital to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the achievement of a low-carbon transportation system. Currently, the availability of EV infrastructure differs significantly between communities as planning procedures are not necessarily equitable. Understanding the charging behavior of EV users is a crucial step toward creating an electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) infrastructure that serves users efficiently, equitably, and sustainably. Presently, public charging station deployment efforts differ across communities, with little context surrounding urbanicity. This study analyzes data from 66 public Level 2 charging stations across Rhode Island. Motivated by the significant disparities in infrastructure availability between urban and rural areas, the research explores behavioral differences to inform infrastructure planning. Key findings reveal that urban stations are predominantly used during weekdays, with longer charging durations and higher energy consumption, whereas rural stations are primarily utilized on weekends and exhibit shorter, more efficient charging sessions. On average, dwell times at rural stations are approximately 50% shorter, while average energy demand is only 7% less. These results provide actionable insights for optimizing charging station deployment and utilization across diverse communities to support the growing demand for EVs.
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spelling doaj-art-c7bda99bc76c430c8f4069cf39b7a4062025-01-24T13:52:47ZengMDPI AGWorld Electric Vehicle Journal2032-66532025-01-011612110.3390/wevj16010021Rural vs. Urban: How Urbanicity Shapes Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior in Rhode IslandTim Jonas0Oluwatosin Okele1Gretchen A. Macht2Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USAMechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USAMechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USAA ubiquitous network of charging stations is vital to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the achievement of a low-carbon transportation system. Currently, the availability of EV infrastructure differs significantly between communities as planning procedures are not necessarily equitable. Understanding the charging behavior of EV users is a crucial step toward creating an electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) infrastructure that serves users efficiently, equitably, and sustainably. Presently, public charging station deployment efforts differ across communities, with little context surrounding urbanicity. This study analyzes data from 66 public Level 2 charging stations across Rhode Island. Motivated by the significant disparities in infrastructure availability between urban and rural areas, the research explores behavioral differences to inform infrastructure planning. Key findings reveal that urban stations are predominantly used during weekdays, with longer charging durations and higher energy consumption, whereas rural stations are primarily utilized on weekends and exhibit shorter, more efficient charging sessions. On average, dwell times at rural stations are approximately 50% shorter, while average energy demand is only 7% less. These results provide actionable insights for optimizing charging station deployment and utilization across diverse communities to support the growing demand for EVs.https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/16/1/21electric vehicleurbanicityuser behaviorcharging
spellingShingle Tim Jonas
Oluwatosin Okele
Gretchen A. Macht
Rural vs. Urban: How Urbanicity Shapes Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior in Rhode Island
World Electric Vehicle Journal
electric vehicle
urbanicity
user behavior
charging
title Rural vs. Urban: How Urbanicity Shapes Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior in Rhode Island
title_full Rural vs. Urban: How Urbanicity Shapes Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior in Rhode Island
title_fullStr Rural vs. Urban: How Urbanicity Shapes Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior in Rhode Island
title_full_unstemmed Rural vs. Urban: How Urbanicity Shapes Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior in Rhode Island
title_short Rural vs. Urban: How Urbanicity Shapes Electric Vehicle Charging Behavior in Rhode Island
title_sort rural vs urban how urbanicity shapes electric vehicle charging behavior in rhode island
topic electric vehicle
urbanicity
user behavior
charging
url https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/16/1/21
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