Assessment of Future EV Charging Infrastructure Scenarios for Long-Distance Transport in Sweden

Over the last two decades, electrification has gained importance as a means to decarbonize the transport sector. As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) increases, it is important to consider broader system aspects as well, especially when deciding the type, coverage, size, and location of the charging infrastructure required. This article proposes a new approach using agent-based simulations to assess the impact that different system parameters have on the total energy consumption, the charging infrastructure needs, or the overall system cost for all electromobility-related technologies. To demonstrate the capabilities of this approach, five potential future scenarios for charging infrastructure deployment are analyzed, assuming that all long-distance transport in Sweden is electrified. For each of the scenarios, the total energy consumed and the charging infrastructure needs are assessed. Finally, the cost associated with the electromobility-related technology in each scenario is estimated. The results show that the lowest system cost corresponds to a scenario with electric road systems (ERSs) widely available to all vehicle types, mostly due to the potential reduction of their battery pack. However, such a scenario may incur in higher overall energy consumption if the drivers decide to alter their routes to use the ERS, thus avoiding stopping for charging.