Suggested Citation:
Turrentine, Thomas S. (2015) Overcoming Barriers to Deployment of Plug-in Electric Vehicles. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Journal Article UCD-ITS-RP-15-11

The plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) holds much promise—from reducing dependence on imported petroleum to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions to improving urban air quality. However, there are many barriers to its mainstream adoption regardless of incentives and enticing promises to solve difficult problems. Currently, such vehicles have some limitations owing to current battery technology, such as restricted electric driving range and the long times required for battery charging. Furthermore, they cost more than conventional vehicles and require an infrastructure for charging the battery. Given those concerns, the U.S. Congress asked the Department of Energy to commission a study by the National Research Council (NRC) that would investigate the barriers and recommend ways to overcome them.

In this final comprehensive report, the Committee on Overcoming Barriers to Electric-Vehicle Deployment first discusses the current characteristics of PEVs and charging technologies. It then briefly reviews the market-development process, presents consumer demographics and attitudes towards PEVs, and discusses the implications of that information and other factors on PEV adoption and diffusion. The committee next explores how federal, state, and local governments and their various administrative arms can be more supportive and implement policies to sustain beneficial strategies for PEV deployment. It then provides an in-depth discussion of the PEV charging-infrastructure needs and evaluates the implications of PEV deployment on the electricity sector. Finally, the committee discusses incentives for adopting PEVs.

Suggested Citation: Committee on Overcoming Barriers to Deployment of Plug-in Electric Vehicles (2015) Overcoming Barriers to Deployment of Plug-in Electric Vehicles.  The National Academies Press.