Abstract:

The aim of this paper is to provide insight into how people assess different charging options in the context of electric mobility and how charging can be integrated into daily activities. The central research question concerns the acceptance of fast charging with direct current up to 200 kWh relative to alternative charging concepts such as inductive charging or battery changes as a part of mobility routines.  The authors identify the need to integrate charging options into existing mobility patterns, and provide evidence arguing against the need for a comprehensive charging infrastructure from a users’ perspective. The Repertory Grid technique provides a valuable tool for the exploration of perceptions of public and private charging infrastructure. By overcoming difficulties in reaching an underlying reality that are inherent to standard interviews, this technique may be useful in creating a shift towards a more sustainable mobility.  The present study provides insight into rarely verbalized routines, perceptions and assessments of charging, since the actual traffic behaviour is highly routinized for most of the people. Research about range anxiety has concluded to providing a comprehensive charging infrastructure as a key of acceptance. The results suggest that range anxiety can be overcome by other practices such as raising awareness of actual traffic behaviour rather than building a comprehensive charging infrastructure.