Suggested Citation:
Kiani, Behdad, Joan M. Ogden, Alex Sheldon, Lauren Cordano (2020) Utilizing Highway Rest Areas for Electric Vehicle Charging: Economics and Impacts on Renewable Energy Penetration in California. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-20-25

California policy is incentivizing rapid adoption of zero emission electric vehicles for light-duty and freight applications. This projectexplored how locating charging facilities at California’s highway rest stops might impact electricity demand, grid operation, and integration of renewables like solar and wind into California’s energy mix. Assuming a growing population of electric vehicles to meet state goals, state-wide growth of electricity demandwas estimated, and the most attractive rest stop locations for siting chargersidentified. Using a California-specific electricity dispatch model developed at UC Davis, the projectestimated how charging vehicles at these stations would impact renewable energy curtailment in California. Itestimated the impacts of charging infrastructures on California’s electricity system and how they can be utilized to decrease the duck curve effect resulting from a large amount of solar energy penetration by 2050.

Key words: Highway Rest Areas, Electric Vehicle Charging, Energy System, Renewable Energy, Long-distance Travel