Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Review

TLDR

Plug‑in hybrid electric vehicles are being evaluated for their potential to improve fuel economy or eliminate fuel use, but the costs of charging infrastructure, power electronics, and larger batteries are critical to their success. This report examines the infrastructure needs of PHEVs across single‑family, multi‑family, and commercial settings. The authors tabulate infrastructure costs to estimate the financial requirements for deploying PHEVs. The tabulated cost estimates show the expected infrastructure expenditures for PHEV deployment.

Abstract

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are under evaluation by various stake holders to better understand their capability and potential benefits. PHEVs could allow users to significantly improve fuel economy over a standard HEV and in some cases, depending on daily driving requirements and vehicle design, have the ability to eliminate fuel consumption entirely for daily vehicle trips. The cost associated with providing charge infrastructure for PHEVs, along with the additional costs for the on-board power electronics and added battery requirements associated with PHEV technology will be a key factor in the success of PHEVs. This report analyzes the infrastructure requirements for PHEVs in single family residential, multi-family residential and commercial situations. Costs associated with this infrastructure are tabulated, providing an estimate of the infrastructure costs associated with PHEV deployment.