Abstract:

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the diffusion of digital sharing mobility services are the factors that have the potential to have substantial effects on the urban environment and mobility patterns. Literature mainly focuses on the technical, safety, regulatory and commercial aspects of EVs; less attention has been paid to the contextual conditions (settlements, endowments, mobility practices), individual preferences, lifestyle and attitudinal factors, able to guarantee an efficient and fair diffusion of electric mobility in terms of use of the energy and urban resources, as well as access to urban opportunities. The main aim of this study is to investigate the spatial pattern of potential demand for electric vehicles in the Milan Urban Region (North Italy), and its relevance in defining diversified and site-based EV policies for promoting a fair transition towards low carbon mobility. A multi-criteria analysis was conducted to examine the links between electric mobility, local socioeconomic and settlement features, and mobility practices, processing variables that describe the contextual conditions and tendency to adopt EVs.  The empirical application presents four scenarios for identifying different intensities, modes and speeds in the diffusion of EVs, in order to orient policymaking processes to support a sustainable mobility transition.