Abstract:
“Can Electric Vehicles Aid the Renewable Transition? Evidence from a Field Experiment Incentivising Midday Charging”
Lana Friesen (University of Queensland), Andrea La Nauze* (Deakin University), Kai Li Lim (University of Queensland), Flavio Menezes (University of Queensland), Lionel Page (University of Queensland), Thara Philip (University of Queensland), and Jake Whitehead (University of Sydney)
In a randomized control trial with 390 EVs, we present novel evidence on how EV owners respond to price incentives to shift their charging to times that support an electricity network with a high penetration of solar generation. Our study utilizes high-resolution, minute-by-minute telematics data tracking driving, charging, battery state, and vehicle locations. Our study setting, Australia, has the highest per capita production of solar energy and rooftop solar installation in the world. We find that incentives substantially shift charging. Payments to reduce peak period charging lead to a 27% reduction by non-solar owners and a 17% reduction by solar owners. Non-solar owners who receive both incentives increase midday charging by 34%. We find peak responses are predominantly reductions in charging at home. By contrast, increases in midday charging occur mostly out of the home and among commuters, or at home among owners with fast home chargers. These results suggest an important role for public, workplace, and fast home charging infrastructure alongside incentives. Overall, our results demonstrate price incentives significantly reshape EV charging loads. Incentives in the range of current electricity prices can motivate EV owners to charge in a manner compatible with high renewable energy shares. Price signals can shift EV loads to support, rather than strain, renewable electricity grids.
*Denotes presenter