Abstract:

The research investigates the assumption that public PEV charging infrastructure is visible to all, including those not interested in PEVs. Data from a survey of all car-owning households in California are combined with data on public PEV charging and PEV registrations to estimate a structural equation model to test the direct and indirect effects of public charging density on whether participants see charging infrastructure and whether they have considered acquiring a PEV. The authors also explore the direct and indirect effects of seeing public charging on PEV purchase consideration. The study reveals that public charging density is not directly or indirectly related to people's perception of public charging or their level of PEV purchase consideration, suggesting that public charging may require strategies to boost consumer engagement with PEVs.