Barriers to electric vehicle home charging and impacts on adoption

An important factor in the decision to adopt an electric vehicle (EV) is access to home charging. People living in multifamily homes, older homes, and renters face unique barriers to charging at home. However, little is known about the magnitude of home charging barriers and their effects on EV adoption when controlling for other factors. This study uses detailed household-level data to evaluate home charging-related barriers to battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) adoption. We find that home charger installation costs are higher in rental homes and homes that require electrical capacity upgrades. We also find strong evidence that home charging access is instrumental in EV adoption. People living in rental homes and homes with inadequate parking are less likely to adopt a BEV when controlling for other factors including home value and vehicle preferences. Our findings can inform efforts to expand electric vehicle adoption.