Forecasting Demand for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Definitions, Assumptions and Conceptual Models

As the U.S. begins a transition away from fossil fuels and toward electric vehicles (EVs), a key question emerges: How are we going to charge all of these new EVs? Forecasting the number of EV charging stations required to meet the needs of EV drivers is complicated due to three sets of issues: 1) A wide range of definitions and equipment, 2) the many assumptions used in forecasts and 3) some fundamental differences in our conceptual models of EV charging. This brief by Nicholas L. Cain, Ph.D., and Amy Lastuka, Ph.D., explores these three areas in more detail and surfaces areas of uncertainty that require more research and analysis.