The Role of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Improving the United States’ Position in the Global Electric Vehicle Industry

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EV) are the future of automobile transportation. Recently, there has been exponential growth in the electric vehicle sector. With the rapid increase in natural disasters and growing climate change concerns, society sees EVs as a means of maintaining personal transportation while protecting the environment.

With over 60% of global EV sales and 35% of global EV exports, China dominates the global electric vehicle industry. While China’s strong EV production is beneficial for the environment, its position in the space threatens thousands of American jobs and undermines the US’ position as the preeminent world power. To compete with China’s dominance in the electric vehicle industry, the US must significantly increase its EV production. Because electric vehicles are often produced in regions with high demand, increasing domestic demand for EVs is cited as a core, direct way of growing a nation’s EV industry. Of the various ways of bolstering domestic demand for EVs, improving charging infrastructure is the most effective and efficient. Therefore, improving the US’ charging infrastructure is a clear way of helping it compete with China’s dominance in the EV industry.

In this thesis, I analyze the nuances of the US’ electric vehicle charger industry to carve a path forward for its larger EV industry. I ask three research questions: 1) How do experts understand the balance between home chargers and public chargers? 2) What are the biggest barriers to widespread EV charging station (EVCS) rollout? 3) What role does the government play in stimulating the EVCS industry and should this role change? Through an in-depth qualitative study consisting of interviews and a systematic literature review, I test three hypotheses, respective to the three research questions: 1) Popular discourse exaggerates the extent to which consumers use public charging—both public and private charging are essential to building a robust and resilient EV industry. 2) The cost of EV charger infrastructure is the biggest barrier to its rollout, along with industry newness. 3) The government provides the financial support necessary to stimulate the EVCS industry, and the government should expand its presence in the domain. My interviews and systematic literature review support each of my hypotheses. Additionally, I find that the categorization of charging infrastructure as amenities limits its deployment, the unpredictable costs of charging infrastructure make it a risky investment, and the government is essential in managing the strategic deployment of EVCSs.