Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: “I am an Electric Vehicle User, I am a Risk Taker.” [EV14, M, c. 30]

Abstract

The car has become ubiquitous in late modern society. Electric vehicles (EVs) show potential to reduce environmental burdens of the transport sector. EV-niche market acquires more available and reliable charging infrastructure to support current and potential users. The location-allocation of the recharging facilities is not a new planning problem; however, the planning for newly-adopted low carbon emissions vehicles infrastructure has distinctive design requirements, sociotechnical and demographic factors. This paper reports on the end-user’s insight and perceptions. Using ethnographic approach, an interview-based study was carried out addressing 15 EV-users in the North East of England. The sample covered a wide spectrum of active EV-users. Clustering analysis is employed as a dimensional technique for data mining and forming the participants’ charging profiles. The model generated 3 clusters; each one is presented and discussed. This study presents a new way of capturing the social aspect of the EV-system and reports on qualitative techniques in EV-context.