When smart charging meets smart users: How price-sensitive plug-in behavior reshapes EV integration

Fabian Brockmann (), Rieke S. Kohn () and Mattia Marinelli ()
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Fabian Brockmann: Dept. of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics, Postal: NHH , Department of Business and Management Science, Helleveien 30, N-5045 Bergen, Norway, https://www.nhh.no/en/employees/faculty/fabian-brockmann/
Rieke S. Kohn: Dept. of Accounting, Auditing and Law, Norwegian School of Economics, Postal: NHH , Department of Accounting, Auditing and Law, Helleveien 30, N-5045 Bergen, Norway, https://www.nhh.no/en/employees/faculty/rieke-sophie-kohn/
Mattia Marinelli: Dept. of Wind and Energy Systems, DTU Technical University of Denmark, Postal: DTU Technical University of Denmark , Department of Wind and Energy Systems, Frederiksborgvej 399, 330, S12, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark, https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/mattia-marinelli

No 2025/24, Discussion Papers from Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science

Abstract: The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) presents both opportunities and challenges for energy systems. While smart charging algorithms have been widely studied to optimize EV charging schedules, the role of EV users' plug-in behavior that precedes any smart charging remains largely unexplored. This study addresses this critical gap by approximating the human plug-in decision-making process through an agent-based simulation model, capturing how EV users adjust their plug-in behavior in response to status of charge and dynamic electricity prices. Furthermore, we evaluate the impact of plug-in behavior on EV users' charging cost, battery lifetime, and EV fleet peak power demand. Our numerical analysis reveals that a price-sensitive plug-in behavior can substantially decrease charging cost and generally extend battery lifetime, though some users may experience shorter battery lifespans due to deeper discharge cycles. Moreover, this behavior also leads to synchronized charging patterns, increasing peak power demand and potentially straining grid infrastructure. These findings reveal the trade-off between user benefits and grid operation drawbacks, underscoring the need for holistic approaches in the assessment of EV user behavior. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of user engagement in smart charging technologies.

Keywords: EV; Behavior; Grid; Battery; Cost; Smart Charging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q00 Q40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2025-09-22
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-reg and nep-tre
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