Assessment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Infrastructure Disparity in Small Towns and Rural Areas

Despite the rapid increase in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, small towns and rural areas continue to face significant challenges in accessing adequate charging facilities. These disparities hinder the broader adoption of EVs in these regions, where the availability of charging stations is often limited or non-existent. This project aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the current distribution and accessibility of EV charging stations in small towns and rural settings, highlighting the gaps compared to urban and suburban areas. A key objective of this study is to identify the barriers contributing to the uneven distribution of EV charging infrastructure. The project will conduct a thorough analysis of these barriers, employing both spatial and statistical analytical tools on quantitative data and qualitative data such as stakeholder interviews and questionnaires. By mapping out these barriers, the research will offer a nuanced view of the systemic issues that perpetuate the disparity in EV infrastructure and prevent equitable adoption. This project will also explore how this infrastructure gap affects public perception of EV adoption and the willingness of residents to transition to electric vehicles. Based on these findings, the project will propose targeted recommendations and strategies to bridge the infrastructure gap and promote equitable EV adoption in small towns and rural areas. These recommendations will include policy suggestions, potential funding mechanisms, and community engagement strategies tailored to the unique needs of these regions. The goal of this project is to develop a framework that supports sustainable and inclusive growth of EV infrastructure, ensuring that small towns and rural areas are not left behind in the transition to a cleaner and smart transportation system.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $100,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348321

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Florida A&M University, Tallahassee

  404 Foote/Hilyer
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32307
• Project Managers:

  Moses, Ren

• Performing Organizations:

  Cleveland State University

  Euclid Avenue at 24th Street
  Cleveland, Oh  United States  44115

  University of North Florida, Jacksonville

  4567 St. Johns Bluff Road South
  Jacksonville, FL  United States  32224-
• Principal Investigators:

  Kidando, Emmanuel

  Sando, Thobias

• Start Date: 20241001
• Expected Completion Date: 20251231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric vehicle charging; Rural areas; Service stations; Small towns; Spatial analysis; Sustainable transportation
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01945632
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Rural Equitable and Accessible Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348321
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Feb 12 2025 5:20PM