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  4. May 2021
  5. Low Energy: Estimating Electric Vehicle Electricity Use

Low Energy: Estimating Electric Vehicle Electricity Use

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Abstract

We provide the first at-scale estimate of electric vehicle (EV) home charging. Previous estimates are based on conflicting surveys or are extrapolated from a small, unrepresentative sample of households with dedicated EV meters. We combine billions of hourly electricity meter measurements with address-level EV registration records from California households, including 64,000 EV owners. The average EV increases overall household load by 2.9 kilowatt-hours per day, well under half the amount assumed by state regulators. Results imply that EVs travel less than expected on electric power, raising questions about transportation electrification for climate policy.

Citation

Burlig, Fiona, James Bushnell, David Rapson, and Catherine Wolfram. 2021. "Low Energy: Estimating Electric Vehicle Electricity Use." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 111: 430-35. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20211088

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • Q42 Alternative Energy Sources
  • L62 Automobiles; Other Transportation Equipment; Related Parts and Equipment
  • L94 Electric Utilities
  • Q41 Energy: Demand and Supply; Prices
  • Q58 Environmental Economics: Government Policy