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Assessment of Intended Electric Vehicle Usage and Travel Behaviour during Wildfire Evacuations
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- Author(s) / Creator(s)
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The rise in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) presents a unique challenge for disaster planning. Their reliance upon the grid for fuel requires capable and resilient electricity infrastructure to withstand the surge in demand during evacuation scenarios. This grid resilience is crucial for safe and resilient evacuations by those living in areas highly vulnerable to wildfires. On the other hand, EVs present a novel opportunity to act as power sources that fulfill the electricity needs of communities that would otherwise lose power. Underpinning both challenges and opportunities is how EV drivers will behave, especially related to charging. However, research on this behaviour in the context of disasters remains sparse.
To address the behavioural gap, this study developed a series of discrete choice models to understand the factors that impact EV charging behaviour in a future wildfire. Through a non-probability panel from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia of people living in high/medium fire risk, we distributed a survey (n=1371) to collect intended choices for a nearby wildfire, assuming a 400 km range EV. Results indicate diverse EV charging patterns, both spatially and temporarily, which could limit some peaks in electricity demand and congestion. Across all models, we found that EV ownership, a preference to reduce risk to property and family, intended evacuation choices, and past hazard experience influenced charging behaviour. Results indicate that targeted improvements in grid capacity and charging stations may be sufficient to meet future demand from EV drivers in evacuations.
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- Date created
- 2025-01-22
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Type of Item
- Article (Draft / Submitted)