Korean EV users’ preference on smart charging program (V1G)

Abstract

The growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market poses challenges to the stability of the power grid due to the sudden increase in electricity demand, necessitating innovative charging programs to regulate EV battery charging speeds. This study analyzes the effects of individual characteristics and charging behavior on the willingness to participate in Smart Charging (V1G) services based on a discrete choice experiment involving 996 EV users in South Korea. The results reveal four distinct classes, with relatively low participation incentives for economically motivated users regarding the minimum charging guarantee and relatively high participation incentives for leisure-oriented users regarding the frequency of mandatory participation. Moreover, users with more driving experience and higher monthly average charging frequency demonstrate greater utility from the V1G services. This highlights the significance of the learning effect on EV driving distance within incentive programs. Consequently, the introduction of effective V1G services in South Korea would benefit from a differentiated incentive system and proactive related education.