CSIRO is investigating the impact of electric vehicles in Australia

Plugging in: assessment of Electric Vehicles and the Grid

CSIRO's Electric Driveway project is undertaking the first comprehensive assessment of the potential for widespread electric vehicle use under Australian conditions.

• 2 August 2011 | Updated 14 October 2011

A series of studies have been commissioned to evaluate the impact of widespread electric vehicle (EV) use in an Australian context, looking at the barriers and benefits of adopting the technology, and exploring potential future synergies between the different components of Australia's electricity and transport sectors.

As part of the Electric Driveway project, a series of reports have been commissioned to evaluate the potential of widespread EV use in an Australian context.

The following reports have been completed in conjunction with university, industry and government partners.

Technical, Economic, Environmental and Institutional Assessments

Usher J, Horgan C, Dunstan C, Paevere P. 2011. Plugging in: A Technical and Institutional Assessment of Electric Vehicles and the Grid in Australia.

A four part report from CSIRO and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) exploring possible synergies between EVs and the electricity grid.

This report contains:

• a review of international projects and studies related to EV adoption
• an analysis of the Australian vehicle market, including which EVs are likely to hit Australian roads first
• analysis of the impact of EV adoption on the Victorian electricity system, with case studies of specific feeders and substations.

Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Australia: Barriers and Policy Solutions

Dunstan C, Usher J, Ross K, Christie L, Paevere P. 2011. Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Australia: Barriers and Policy Solutions.

This report from CSIRO and UTS details the barriers to, and policy solutions for, widespread adoption of EVs in Australia.

This significant report examines barriers to the widespread adoption of EVs and suggests possible policy solutions.

In particular, the report focuses on current and likely future technical and institutional barriers and identifies a set of priority policy options to address these issues.

Social Study on Attitudes, Drivers and Barriers to the Uptake of Electric Vehicles

Gardner J, Quezada G and Paevere P. 2011. Social Study on Attitudes, Drivers and Barriers to the Uptake of Electric Vehicles. (An Electric Driveway Project Report).

This research used focus groups and surveys to assess knowledge, attitudes, and potential behaviour regarding electric vehicles and related technology.

Data were gathered from over 2000 Victorian vehicle owners and investigated:

• the degree of interest in owning electric vehicles
• potential drivers and barriers to the purchase of electric vehicles, and
• perceptions of electric vehicles in comparison to conventional vehicles.

Diffusion Modelling of Electric Vehicle Uptake

Higgins A and Paevere P.  2011. Diffusion Modelling of Electric Vehicle Uptake: Methodology and Case Study for Victoria.  

This report presents results from the CSIRO diffusion modelling of plug-in electric vehicle uptake in Victoria.

The model provides information on the likely rate of EV uptake at fine spatial scales, down to a unit level of around 250 households.

The model is currently being extended and combined with household energy and travel models to spatially project the:

• impact that various policy and subsidy options will have on EV uptake
• impacts and opportunities from EVs that can interact with smart electricity grids and homes of the future, and
• hot-spots across an urban centre for optimally located public charging infrastructure.

If you would like a copy of any of these reports, please send your request to evreports@csiro.au.