Who Is Buying Electric Cars in California? Exploring Household and Vehicle Fleet Characteristics of New Plug-In Vehicle Owners

This study explores the demographics and socioeconomic characteristics of 1,200 households who purchased a new plug-in vehicle in California during 2011-2012, part of the developing market for such vehicles. Most purchased the Nissan LEAF, a battery electric vehicle (BEV), while small portion purchased a Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a Tesla roadster, also a BEV. Data from the 2009 National household Travel Survey are used to compare the plug-in car buyer’s characteristics to the general population and new car buyers in California. The results of this study can be used to improve the modeling process of the potential demand for plug-in vehicles and the derived demand for charging. They also can help in evaluating the impact of policies to increase the demand for these vehicles.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.its.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/themes/ucdavis/pubs/download_pdf.php?id=1839
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://library.its.berkeley.edu
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Davis

  Institute of Transportation Studies
  Davis, CA  United States  95616

  California Department of Transportation

  1120 N Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95814

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Tal, Gil
  • Nicholas, Michael A
  • Woodjack, Justin
  • Scrivano, Daniel
• Publication Date: 2013-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 17p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer models; Demand; Demographics; Electric vehicles; Location; Motivation; Plug-in hybrid vehicles; Socioeconomic factors; Vehicle fleets
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Highways; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I70: Traffic and Transport; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01530293
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Report/Paper Numbers: UCD-ITS-RR-13-02
• Files: CALTRANS, UTC, TRIS, RITA, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 11 2014 9:27AM