Predicting Battery Electric Vehicle Ownership in the United States Based on Demographic and Spatial Characteristics

Cornett, Timothy

Predicting Battery Electric Vehicle Ownership in the United States Based on Demographic and Spatial Characteristics

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/41470

Author(s)

Cornett, Timothy

Date Issued

April 25, 2016

Abstract

The United States transportation sector contributes significantly to climate change, producing 33.7 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from typical internal combustion engine vehicles. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) emit zero tailpipe emissions and therefore offer the opportunity to reduce GHG emissions while fulfilling the transportation needs of the United States. This study performs a geographic information system (GIS)-based multi-criteria site suitability analysis of the Unites States to predict BEV ownership using a number of spatial variables. These variables include charge station density, median household income, percentage of commuters who commute by car, gas prices, and congestion levels. These variables were individually ranked by suitability and prioritized in accordance with their importance in determining BEV ownership. Suitable and moderately suitable areas encompass 18.1 percent (665,881 square miles) of the United States. Suitable areas were concentrated around major metropolitan areas, specifically the Northeast Megalopolis (stretching from Washington, DC to Boston, MA), San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. As BEVs are an emerging market, vehicle manufacturers may use these data to market and distribute BEVs to appropriate dealerships across the United States more effectively. Increased ownership of BEVs will reduce GHG emissions and anthropogenic climate change.

Major

Environmental Science

First Reader(s)

Shaffer, Chris