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A national survey of consumer attitudes towards plug-in electric vehicles suggests that people would prefer control to convenience in many charging scenarios, and also that renewable energy sources are an important component.
The survey, released today by researchers Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, includes responses from 542 people. Although a majority of the participants have never owned or ridden in an electric vehicle, 17 percent had some prior experience with the technology.
Among the report's findings:
- To manage the costs and electricity demand at home, 73 percent of people would elect optimized charging vs. on-demand charging. Optimized charging allows the system to manage and plan vehicle charging, for example, charging at off-peak times.
- A majority of 65 percent said they'd prefer to prioritize renewable energy sources rather than settle for standard optimized charging.
- Nearly all—84 percent—would like to be able to "reverse charge," or feed electricity from their vehicle back to the public grid in exchange for reduced rates or other compensation. Reverse charging could also help reduce power plants' load during peak times.
"We noticed that people tend to prefer the things that give them the most control, rather than the most convenience," Schoettle said. "For example, respondents seemed to think that a traditional cable was the best way to recharge, even though inductive wireless charging could enable a self-fueling vehicle. A person wouldn't be required."
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Sunday November 20 2016, @01:17PM
My main form of transportatiom is an electric vehicle (not a car mind you, but an electric-assist velomobile, which is close enough in the city). I like to be able to recharge at home and make good use of my solar panels, instead of paying people to provide the service for me in the form of electric "gas stations".
That's what bothers the oil industry so much about the electric car revolution: people don't need to go to designated energy suppliers to fill up their cars. That's why it tried (and failed) to push hydrogen-powered cars: hydrogen as an energy vector is completely inefficient, and has nothing but drawbacks. But it maintains the gas station network, its entire supply chain, and the inherent monopolies that go with it.
With electric cars, people take control of their own energy usage, and what it truly costs them. They cut the middle man. I think most people understand that instinctively, and like the idea.