Publication Detail
Home Recharging and the Household Electric Vehicle Market: A Near-Term Constraints Analysis
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UCD-ITS-RR-92-02 Research Report |
Suggested Citation:
Nesbitt, Kevin A., Kenneth S. Kurani, Mark A. Delucchi (1992) Home Recharging and the Household Electric Vehicle Market: A Near-Term Constraints Analysis. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-92-02
Submitted to the 1991 Annual Meeting Transportation Research Board
Market potential studies based on household travel behavior and consumer preferences show that electric vehicles may capture a share of the household motor vehicle market. However, these past studies have largely ignored the implications of home refueling requirements on the market potential of electric vehicles. Using data from the 1985 American Housing Survey, we estimate the number of households that constitute the potential private market for battery-powered electric vehicles. This estimate is based on housing characteristics and general vehicle usage patterns which are conducive, and probably necessary, to electric vehicle ownership. Foremost among these is the ability to recharge the vehicle at home. Based on these criteria the potential private market for current technology EVs is approximately 28 million households ndash; 28 percent of the 1985 housing stock. Sensitivity analyses of household income and daily commute demands suggest that reduced purchase price may have a greater impact on the marketability of EVs than increased driving range. Given today's attainable driving ranges, electric vehicles could fulfill the commute demands of nearly all households capable of recharging an EV, but the market size decreases rapidly as hypothetical income requirements increase.
Market potential studies based on household travel behavior and consumer preferences show that electric vehicles may capture a share of the household motor vehicle market. However, these past studies have largely ignored the implications of home refueling requirements on the market potential of electric vehicles. Using data from the 1985 American Housing Survey, we estimate the number of households that constitute the potential private market for battery-powered electric vehicles. This estimate is based on housing characteristics and general vehicle usage patterns which are conducive, and probably necessary, to electric vehicle ownership. Foremost among these is the ability to recharge the vehicle at home. Based on these criteria the potential private market for current technology EVs is approximately 28 million households ndash; 28 percent of the 1985 housing stock. Sensitivity analyses of household income and daily commute demands suggest that reduced purchase price may have a greater impact on the marketability of EVs than increased driving range. Given today's attainable driving ranges, electric vehicles could fulfill the commute demands of nearly all households capable of recharging an EV, but the market size decreases rapidly as hypothetical income requirements increase.