Towards sustainable transportation: factors influencing electric vehicle charging stations development

Abstract

The Indian transportation sector, reliant on fossil fuels, is predominantly accountable for the emergence of critical challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, reliance on foreign energy sources, economic strain, and persistent health repercussions. In order to mitigate these urgent challenges, electric vehicles (EVs) are conceptualised as a viable, sustainable and ecologically sound technological solution, capable of successfully transitioning towards a sustainable low-carbon emission transportation framework and preserving finite natural resources. EVs encounter significant challenges in achieving rapid assimilation into the commercial landscape, and one of the most frequently referenced impediments to the accelerated adoption of EVs is the insufficiency of charging infrastructure along with the resultant range anxiety. Nevertheless, expanding the charging infrastructure network is financially burdensome and necessitates careful and strategic planning. Despite identifying essential factors, the inquiry “In what manner do these factors engage and interact?” has predominantly remained unaddressed in empirical investigations. Examining the interactions between these variables will empower producers and regulatory authorities to participate in systematic planning and devise suitable measures to govern these variables. The prime objective of this research is to execute an exhaustive assessment and furnish insights into the multifaceted factors/criteria influencing the establishment and development of EV charging infrastructure within a developing nation such as India. Factors are extracted from previous studies through literature reviews and expert interviews. The study also validates the identified factors empirically. Subsequently, a mixed-method approach is utilised to implement a combination of Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL). This methodology enables a methodical exploration of the hierarchical structures and interconnections among the variables, thereby enhancing the comprehension of their influence on the implementation and efficacy of charging infrastructure. The study identifies technological, economic, political, geographical, environmental, geopolitical, and socio-technical factors as key drivers influencing EV charging infrastructure development, highlighting the interdependencies between critical variables and providing a structured framework to enhance accessibility, scalability, and sustainability in alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13.