Study Overview
Electric-mobility may be a key component in a successful transition toward deep greenhouse- gas (GHG) reductions (Williams et al., 2012). This report considers the potential market for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in Canada’s passenger (light-duty) vehicle sector.
We consider two broad categories of PEVs: plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can be powered by grid electricity for an initial distance, say 60 km, but are otherwise powered by gasoline until the battery is recharged (e.g. the Chevrolet Volt) and electric vehicles (BEVs) that are powered solely by electricity for a range of 100 to 300 km (e.g. the Nissan LEAF).
Widespread uptake and use of passenger PEVs will involve meaningful shifts in social and technical systems (Sovacool and Hirsh, 2009). To investigate how consumer interest in PEVs may guide such shifts, we engage a sample of Canadian new vehicle buyers and British Columbian PEV owners in a mixed-method survey and interview process.
Data collected for this study comes from two distinct study designs: the 2015 Plug-in Electric Vehicle Owners Survey (PEVOS) and the 2013 New Vehicle Owners Survey (NVOS).
