Evaluating the Relationship of EV Charging Station on the Uptake of Electric Vehicles -- Implication of the NEVI Formula Program

TL;DR

This study investigates how the distribution of EV charging stations influences electric vehicle adoption in U.S. counties, revealing that current infrastructure may not be as effective as anticipated in meeting federal EV adoption goals.

Contribution

It provides an empirical analysis of the impact of public EV charging stations on EV uptake, highlighting potential limitations of the NEVI Formula Program.

Findings

Public charging stations may not significantly increase EV adoption.

The NEVI Program's current approach might need reevaluation.

Additional incentives could be necessary to boost EV uptake.

Abstract

To achieve the federal goal to make half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has employed the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which aims to promote an interconnected network of publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. By analyzing panel data on a subset of U.S. counties, this paper examines the relationship between different classes of EV charging stations and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Through an instrumental approach to identify potential endogeneity, this study suggests that public charging stations and the implications of the NEVI Formula Program might not provide the optimistic benefit expected in achieving the federal goal. This finding indicates the need to reevaluate current strategies and explore additional incentives to enhance EV adoption and the effectiveness of public charging infrastructure.