Electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway

Abstract Background Norway is currently in the process of replacing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs). A steadily increasing number of EVs being charged in the evening when the demand peaks are already high has added to the strain on local electricity grids. Smar...

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Autores principales:	Ida Marie Henriksen, William Throndsen, Marianne Ryghaug, Tomas Moe Skjølsvold
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	BMC 2021
Materias:	Flexibility End users Electric vehicles Smart charging Domestication theory Renewable energy sources TJ807-830 Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade HD9502-9502.5
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/7fddce14869c476a8895d92fcab490fc
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:7fddce14869c476a8895d92fcab490fc2021-11-21T12:03:57ZElectric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway10.1186/s13705-021-00319-z2192-0567https://doaj.org/article/7fddce14869c476a8895d92fcab490fc2021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-021-00319-zhttps://doaj.org/toc/2192-0567Abstract Background Norway is currently in the process of replacing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs). A steadily increasing number of EVs being charged in the evening when the demand peaks are already high has added to the strain on local electricity grids. Smart charging is proposed as a solution to peak-load challenges of this kind, as it can delay charging until evenings and nights when demand peaks are generally low. However, current knowledge of the preferences and motivations of EV owners regarding the installation and use of smart chargers is lacking. Accordingly, the study aims to contribute an improved understanding in this respect. Methods The authors conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews, in which they gained information on householder’s experiences following their participation in a pilot project to test smart charging of EVs. The interviews explored the interviewees’ motivation for participating in the project, their experiences of using and charging EVs, and their thoughts on flexibility in the timing of EV charging. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, after which a domestication theory approach was employed to perform an in-depth analysis of the interview data. Results The analysis of the interviews revealed that the study participants had four motivations for participating in the smart charging demonstration project and engaging in the further use of smart charging: (1) the fire-safety aspect and speed of charging devices for EVs was better than charging from a socket; (2) they derived a broader interest in and more joy from using smart home technology; (3) attractive practical and economic benefits; and (4) the flexibility offered by smart charging had the potential to have a positive impact on physical comfort. Conclusions The study revealed key domestication processes unfolding in the Norwegian energy transition with the increasing numbers of EVs and the corresponding grid peaks. The findings clearly indicate that users’ motivations go much further than simple economic rationalization, which should be of interest to policymakers, smart home developers, and all others that work with end-user flexibility in the grid.Ida Marie HenriksenWilliam ThrondsenMarianne RyghaugTomas Moe SkjølsvoldBMCarticleFlexibilityEnd usersElectric vehiclesSmart chargingDomestication theoryRenewable energy sourcesTJ807-830Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel tradeHD9502-9502.5ENEnergy, Sustainability and Society, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-10 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Flexibility End users Electric vehicles Smart charging Domestication theory Renewable energy sources TJ807-830 Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade HD9502-9502.5
spellingShingle	Flexibility End users Electric vehicles Smart charging Domestication theory Renewable energy sources TJ807-830 Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade HD9502-9502.5 Ida Marie Henriksen William Throndsen Marianne Ryghaug Tomas Moe Skjølsvold Electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway
description	Abstract Background Norway is currently in the process of replacing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs). A steadily increasing number of EVs being charged in the evening when the demand peaks are already high has added to the strain on local electricity grids. Smart charging is proposed as a solution to peak-load challenges of this kind, as it can delay charging until evenings and nights when demand peaks are generally low. However, current knowledge of the preferences and motivations of EV owners regarding the installation and use of smart chargers is lacking. Accordingly, the study aims to contribute an improved understanding in this respect. Methods The authors conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews, in which they gained information on householder’s experiences following their participation in a pilot project to test smart charging of EVs. The interviews explored the interviewees’ motivation for participating in the project, their experiences of using and charging EVs, and their thoughts on flexibility in the timing of EV charging. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, after which a domestication theory approach was employed to perform an in-depth analysis of the interview data. Results The analysis of the interviews revealed that the study participants had four motivations for participating in the smart charging demonstration project and engaging in the further use of smart charging: (1) the fire-safety aspect and speed of charging devices for EVs was better than charging from a socket; (2) they derived a broader interest in and more joy from using smart home technology; (3) attractive practical and economic benefits; and (4) the flexibility offered by smart charging had the potential to have a positive impact on physical comfort. Conclusions The study revealed key domestication processes unfolding in the Norwegian energy transition with the increasing numbers of EVs and the corresponding grid peaks. The findings clearly indicate that users’ motivations go much further than simple economic rationalization, which should be of interest to policymakers, smart home developers, and all others that work with end-user flexibility in the grid.
format	article
author	Ida Marie Henriksen William Throndsen Marianne Ryghaug Tomas Moe Skjølsvold
author_facet	Ida Marie Henriksen William Throndsen Marianne Ryghaug Tomas Moe Skjølsvold
author_sort	Ida Marie Henriksen
title	Electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway
title_short	Electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway
title_full	Electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway
title_fullStr	Electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway
title_full_unstemmed	Electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway
title_sort	electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from norway
publisher	BMC
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/7fddce14869c476a8895d92fcab490fc
work_keys_str_mv	AT idamariehenriksen electricvehiclechargingandendusermotivationforflexibilityacasestudyfromnorway AT williamthrondsen electricvehiclechargingandendusermotivationforflexibilityacasestudyfromnorway AT marianneryghaug electricvehiclechargingandendusermotivationforflexibilityacasestudyfromnorway AT tomasmoeskjølsvold electricvehiclechargingandendusermotivationforflexibilityacasestudyfromnorway
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Electric vehicle charging and end-user motivation for flexibility: a case study from Norway

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