Introduction
Transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the transport sector accounted for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, with road vehicles constituting 72% of transport emissions (Sims et al., 2014). To achieve climate change mitigation goals, many cities and countries have implemented policies and programs to promote a transition to low-carbon transportation options. One such initiative that has gained momentum in recent years is adopting electric vehicles (EVs), which produce no direct emissions and lower lifecycle emissions than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (Yongling et al., 2019). This literature review analyzes research on the social and economic impacts of EV adoption in urban areas as a critical low-carbon transportation initiative.
Benefits of Urban EV Adoption
Multiple studies highlight the environmental and social benefits of transitioning to EVs in cities. According to Li et al. (2019), replacing conventional vehicles with EVs in Beijing, China could reduce transport-related CO2 emissions by 30.9% by 2030. EVs also produce lower levels of air pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds than gasoline or diesel vehicles (Yongling et al., 2019). This can lead to improved urban air quality and lower incidence of pollution-related health conditions like asthma (Sung et al., 2018). Additionally, EVs produce less noise pollution, enhancing the quality of life, particularly in dense urban environments (Li et al., 2019).
From an economic perspective, studies show that EVs can provide financial savings for owners and governments over the long term. Electricity as a transport fuel costs less per kilometer than gasoline or diesel (Yongling et al., 2019). Though the upfront costs of EVs are still higher than conventional vehicles, falling battery prices are shrinking this gap (Lutsey, 2015). Governments also benefit from lower spending on oil imports and subsidies for fossil fuels (Yongling et al., 2019). EVs are cheaper to maintain due to having fewer moving parts and lower repair costs (Li et al., 2019).
Challenges and Barriers to Urban EV Adoption
While promising, the transition to EVs also faces multiple barriers. A significant challenge is that cities need adequate charging infrastructure (Sierzchula et al., 2014). Consumers need easy access to public charging stations near homes, workplaces, and commercial areas to feel confident using EVs. However, current charging networks need to be expanded in many urban locations (Li et al., 2019). Range anxiety or concern about running out of charge mid-trip also discourages some potential urban EV buyers (Lutsey, 2015). Additionally, EVs may strain local power grids if high-speed chargers do not manage charging infrastructure (Yongling et al., 2019).
The high purchase cost of EVs compared to similar gasoline or diesel models is another adoption barrier (Sierzchula et al., 2014). Even with falling battery costs, EVs have struggled to reach purchase price parity in most markets (Lutsey, 2015). For lower-income urban households, the upfront cost can be prohibitive. There are also challenges around consumer awareness and perceptions. Many urban car buyers need to become more familiar with EV technology and are uncertain about real-world performance and reliability (Li et al., 2019). Weak policy incentives in the form of subsidies, access to carpool lanes, free parking, etc., also constrain EV demand in cities (Sierzchula et al., 2014).
Strategies for Promoting Urban EV Adoption
Research points to several policy and planning strategies for accelerating EV adoption in urban areas. Expanding public charging infrastructure is critical, focusing on fast chargers and locating stations in residential neighborhoods (Yongling et al., 2019). Financial incentives can lower upfront costs, including purchase subsidies, tax credits, rebates, and exemptions from registration fees or road taxes (Li et al., 2019). Cities can also designate special parking, high occupancy vehicle lanes, and free public charging access exclusively for EVs (Sierzchula et al., 2014). Outreach campaigns are advised to increase consumer awareness and combat misconceptions about EVs (Lutsey, 2015). Modifying building codes to require charging access points in new constructions and retrofits can enable future EV integration (Yongling et al., 2019). Finally, optimizing electrical grids and rate structures for EV charging demand can reduce power systems impacts (Li et al., 2019).
Conclusion
The literature review indicates that urban EV adoption can provide environmental, social, and economic benefits aligned with low-carbon transportation goals. However, barriers, including upfront costs, lack of charging infrastructure, and consumer perceptions, slow broader uptake. Targeted policies and programs centered on incentives, charging networks, awareness building, and power sector planning can help cities maximize the promise of electrified transport while managing grid and equity challenges. More research is needed on effective urban EV integration strategies tailored to the needs of developing countries and lower-income populations.
References
Li, W., Long, R., Chen, H., & Geng, J. (2019). A review of factors influencing consumer intentions to adopt battery electric vehicles. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 114, 109378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109378
Lutsey, N. (2015). Transition to a global zero-emission vehicle fleet: A collaborative agenda for governments. International Council on Clean Transportation. https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/ICCT_GlobalZEVAlliance_201509.pdf
Sierzchula, W., Bakker, S., Maat, K., & van Wee, B. (2014). The influence of financial incentives and other socio-economic factors on electric vehicle adoption. Energy Policy, 68, 183-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2014.01.043
Sims, R., Schaeffer, R., Creutzig, F., Cruz-Núñez, X., D’Agosto, M., Dimitriu, D., Figueroa Meza, M. J., Fulton, L., Kobayashi, S., Lah, O., McKinnon, A., Newman, P., Ouyang, M., Schauer, J. J., Sperling, D., & Tiwari, G. (2014). Transport. In O. Edenhofer, R. Pichs-Madruga, Y. Sokona, E. Farahani, S. Kadner, K. Seyboth, A. Adler, I. Baum, S. Brunner, P. Eickemeier, B. Kriemann, J. Savolainen, S. Schlömer, C. von Stechow (Eds.), Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
Sung, J., Song, W., & Park, J. (2018). The direct and indirect CO2 reduction effects of electric vehicles in urban areas of South Korea. Energy Policy, 120, 257-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.05.045
Yongling, L., Fei, Y., Feng, L., & Yaru, L. (2019). Economic and environmental impacts of electric vehicles: A review. Journal of Power Sources, p. 474, 228402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2020.228402
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