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Show Me the Money! A Field Experiment on Electric Vehicle Charge Timing

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Listed:
  • Megan R. Bailey
  • David P. Brown
  • Blake Shaffer
  • Frank A. Wolak

Abstract

We use a field experiment to measure the effectiveness of financial incentives to shift the timing of electric vehicle (EV) charging. EV owners respond strongly to financial incentives, reducing charging during peak hours by 49 percent by shifting to off-peak hours. In contrast, a prosocial information treatment has no discernible effect. When financial incentives are removed, charge timing reverts to pre-intervention behavior, reinforcing that "money matters." Our findings highlight the substantial flexibility of EV charging compared to other forms of electricity demand. Such flexibility has the potential to greatly reduce future electric system costs arising from a rapidly decarbonizing transportation sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Megan R. Bailey & David P. Brown & Blake Shaffer & Frank A. Wolak, 2025. "Show Me the Money! A Field Experiment on Electric Vehicle Charge Timing," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 17(2), pages 259-284, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:259-84
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20230653
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • L92 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Railroads and Other Surface Transportation
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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