A heuristic approach for investigating the integration of electric mobility charging infrastructure in metropolitan areas: an agent-based modeling simulation

This paper discusses devising a methodology for developing a heuristic approach for planning authorities and policy makers to investigate the integration of electric mobility charging infrastructure in metropolitan cities, particularly in the UK. This study is a part of a PhD research project; it presents a part of its overall methodology, which will be employed in a smaller-scale pilot project to obtain initial findings. An agent-based modelling and simulation (ABMS) technique is proposed to represent the phenomenon and analyze it. This study covers the development of the model, emphasizing how it would reflect Electric Vehicles (EVs) current users’ behaviours and their charging habits. The aim of the PhD research is to examine whether the current electric mobility charging infrastructure can support current users and whether it can accommodate future potential users or if the planning authorities and policy makers need to forecast and plan for more charging points. This in return shall potentially provide a better accessibility to e-mobility and support its market, partly by better informed location decision making.