# Electric Vehicles and their Effect on Network Load

**Authors:** Victor L. Knoop  
**arXiv:** [1905.11654](https://arxiv.org/abs/1905.11654)  
**Date:** 2019-05-28  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1905.11654v1/

## Key points

- Fleet composition shifting towards plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV)
- 'Range anxiety' leading to preference for shorter routes among PHEV and EV drivers
- Regenerative braking capability making routes with frequent accelerations and decelerations more attractive
- Drivers opting for lower speed limits to conserve energy
- Motorways less favorable for PHEVs and EVs compared to ICE vehicles, leading to preference for secondary roads or town routes
- Implications of shift towards using secondary roads on congestion, emissions, and safety
- Importance of considering changing preferences and behaviors of PHEV and EV drivers when designing road networks

## Summary

The fleet composition is shifting from traditional fuel-powered vehicles to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV), leading to a phenomenon known as 'range anxiety'. This results in a preference for shorter routes among drivers of PHEVs and EVs. The regenerative braking capability of these vehicles also makes routes with frequent accelerations and decelerations more attractive compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Additionally, drivers may opt for lower speed limits to conserve energy, highlighting a potential shift in driving behavior due to the unique characteristics of electric vehicles. When considering road characteristics, it is observed that motorways are generally less favorable for drivers of PHEVs and EVs compared to ICE vehicles. As a result, they tend to prefer shorter routes on secondary roads or through towns. This shift towards utilizing the underlying road network rather than motorways can have implications for congestion, emissions, and safety. Therefore, transportation planners and designers must consider the changing preferences and behaviors of drivers with PHEVs and EVs when designing road networks. By understanding how electric vehicles impact travel patterns and route choices, adjustments can be made to optimize the efficiency and sustainability of the overall transportation system.