Dutch electric vehicle drivers' acceptance of vehicle-to-grid at long-term parking

Master thesis (2020)

Authors

K.H.J. van Heuveln Technology, Policy and Management

Contributors

G.P. van Wee Transport and Logistics - TPM (supervisor 1)
J.A. Annema Transport and Logistics - TPM (supervisor 1)
U. Pesch Ethics & Philosophy of Technology - TPM (supervisor 2)
R. Ghotge Energy Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (coach)
Esther van Bergen Cenex Nederland (coach)
Faculty
Technology, Policy and Management
Copyright: © 2020 Koen van Heuveln
V2G Vehicle-to-Grid Theory of planned behaviour Dutch EV drivers V2G acceptance Long-term parking Bi-directional charging
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Published Date

24-02-2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Abstract

The objective of this study was identifying factors that contribute to Dutch electric vehicle (EV) drivers’ acceptance of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) at long-term parking lots. The results of this study aim to help V2G system designers to improve the quality of bi-directional V2G charging services for EV users and to foster V2G acceptance. The following problem statement was formulated: “To what extent do Dutch EV drivers accept V2G at long-term parking?” Based on a literature review and 20 exploratory semi-structured interviews with Dutch EV users, the conceptual model of the Theory of Planned Behaviour was contextualized for V2G acceptance by extending it. The resulting model includes V2G acceptance as a core concept and following influencing main factors or categories: perceived benefits, perceived barriers, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, EV driver’s profile characteristics, trust and intention to accept. Based on the interviews, the main conclusion was that EV users predominantly showed high acceptance of V2G at long-term parking, but that it was dependent on a relatively high number of different underlying factors or sub-factors (85) and that their individual attitudes differed with regards to several topic areas or categories (e.g. perceived benefits and barriers). Most interviewees would have the intention to use V2G at long-term parking on condition that they could receive monetary compensation for possible battery degradation, compensation for experienced discomfort and that the (technical) risks of V2G participation are transparently communicated. Furthermore, the interviewees indicated that the use of V2G systems should be simple, easy-to-use and not significantly different from (using) regular charging devices. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that future research should focus on EV drivers that have practical experience with V2G systems. Furthermore, V2G system designers should adopt a consumer-centric approach by focussing on clear-cut information provision for EV users, create business cases so that EV users show a level of content, choose for V2G bi-directional charger vendors and aggregators that offer a user-friendly interface, so that EV drivers can have the option to exert control.