Sharing neighbourhood charging points

Abstract

Public charging points in neighbourhoods are essential for charging electric vehicles (EVs). Efficient use of these shared charging points requires cooperation from neighbours. Communication and agreements between neighbours regarding the use of charging points are important for cooperation, yet have received little attention in research. Therefore, we aimed to explore the extent to which residents communicate with their neighbours about the use of public residential charging points, whether they (want to) make agreements about their use, the types of agreements that they (want to) make, and the social-psychological factors that determine whether they (want to) make agreements. We analysed responses from an online survey of EV drivers in the Netherlands who charge at public residential charging points in their neighbourhood (N = 314). We found that few residents communicate with their neighbours regarding the use of the charging points, such as sending messages via their mobile phone. We identified an intention–behaviour gap for making agreements: although very few residents had made agreements, many more want to do so. Most want to make agreements about communication with their neighbours or about moving a vehicle from the charging point after it has been charged. Residents who made agreements with neighbours perceived greater social interdependence with their neighbours than residents who did not, and interpersonal trust and perceived social interdependence explained wanting to make agreements. We recommend that municipalities and charging point operators inform, encourage, and facilitate EV drivers in making agreements about sharing public residential charging points with their neighbours.