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Urban, sub-urban or rural: where is the best place for electric vehicles?

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  • Daniel Newman
  • Peter Wells
  • Ceri Donovan
  • Paul Nieuwenhuis
  • Huw Davies

Abstract

This paper critiques the assumption that an urban setting is the most appropriate for electric vehicles. In so doing, it questions the implementation of transitions theory and socio-technical experiments in the quest to establish electric vehicles as an alternative to the existing automobility regime. For vehicle owners and infrastructure providers alike, as with society generally, the benefits of electric vehicles are maximised when usage is most intense; a difficult situation to achieve in urban areas aside from light commercial delivery and service applications. Using case study information from electric vehicle trials under the ENEVATE research programme into users of such vehicles in North West Europe, it is concluded that more policy and research attention should be given to sub-urban and rural electric vehicle applications as promising niches from which wider socio-technical change may develop.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Newman & Peter Wells & Ceri Donovan & Paul Nieuwenhuis & Huw Davies, 2014. "Urban, sub-urban or rural: where is the best place for electric vehicles?," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 14(3/4), pages 306-323.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:14:y:2014:i:3/4:p:306-323
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kester, Johannes & Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Noel, Lance & Zarazua de Rubens, Gerardo, 2020. "Rethinking the spatiality of Nordic electric vehicles and their popularity in urban environments: Moving beyond the city?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    2. Ajanovic, Amela & Haas, Reinhard, 2016. "Dissemination of electric vehicles in urban areas: Major factors for success," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P2), pages 1451-1458.
    3. Esmene Shukru & Leyshon Michael, 2019. "The Role of Rural Heterogeneity in Knowledge Mobilisation and Sociotechnical Transitions: Reflections from a Study on Electric Vehicles as an Alternative Technology for Cornwall, UK," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 11(4), pages 661-671, December.
    4. Bursa, Bartosz & Mailer, Markus & Axhausen, Kay W., 2022. "Travel behavior on vacation: transport mode choice of tourists at destinations," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 234-261.

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