Insights for Sustainable Urban Transport via Private Charging Pile Sharing in the Electric Vehicle Sector

Abstract

The growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market is significantly influenced by the development of EV charging infrastructure. In China, the surge in private charging piles has led to the promotion of the private charging pile sharing model (PCPSM) as a strategic solution to overcome infrastructure challenges. This research develops a tripartite evolutionary game model among pile owners, property companies, and EV users to explore the promotion of the sharing model. Innovatively, it integrates prospect theory to capture the decision-making psychology of the participants. Using system dynamics and numerical simulation, an in-depth analysis is conducted on the effects of 15 key factors influencing strategic decisions, culminating in the formulation of feasible incentive mechanisms. The research reveals that: 1) Exclusive reliance on private pile sharing between pile owners and EV users is unstable, highlighting the need for greater involvement from property companies; 2) Managing crucial factors, including property management costs, charging pile usage prices, and profit-sharing ratios, within appropriate limits is essential for the sustainable growth of PCPSM; 3) Enhancing players’ awareness of potential losses and decreasing their risk preference are effective in encouraging proactive strategy adoption; and 4) The practice of pile owners contributing a specific proportion of management fees to property companies, along with dynamic government incentives, considerably elevates the propensity of property companies to engage actively in the sharing model. This study provides novel insights into enhancing PCPSM, with wide-reaching implications for the sustainability of the EV sector and urban transportation systems.