Impact of incentives for greener battery electric vehicle charging – A field experiment

Celina Kacperski, Roberto Ulloa, Sonja Klingert, Benedikt Kirpes and Florian Kutzner

Energy Policy, 2022, vol. 161, issue C

Abstract: Battery electric vehicles generate a significant share of their greenhouse gas emissions during production and later, when in use, through the energy used for charging. A shift in charging behavior could substantially reduce emissions if aligned with the fluctuating availability of renewable energy. Financial incentives and environmental appeals have been discussed as potential means to achieve this. We report evidence from a randomized controlled trial in which cost-free and “green” charging was advertised via email notifications to customers of a charging service provider. Emails invited to charge during midday hours (11:00 to 15:00) of days with high predicted shares of renewable energy. Results show a significant increase in the number of charging processes in the critical time, and in the amount of energy charged (kWh), despite only marginal monetary savings of 5€ on average. A further increase in kWh charged was observed on weekends. Under the assumption that these charging processes replaced regular overnight charging at home, this represents reduction in CO2 emissions of over 50%.

Keywords: Incentives; Electric vehicle charging; CO2 emissions; Behavior insights (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:161:y:2022:i:c:s0301421521006182

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112752

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