Modelling electric vehicles usage in a carsharing fleet using MATSim

Abstract

In many countries, urban transportation systems strive to serve travel demand. With increasing mobility needs and climate change concerns, carsharing, among other solutions, can be a serious alternative to private car. With current environmental concerns, carsharing operators have started to introduce electric vehicles into their fleet. The electrification of carsharing is challenging, for operators and users. In this paper, we examine the impact of weather conditions (temperature) and range anxiety on the adoption and use of electric shared cars in comparison with conventional cars.

The adoption of electric vehicles in the context of carsharing is simulated using the multi-agent system MATSim. Results show that, in the case of Montreal, the potential negative impact of temperature and range anxiety on carsharing demand and use is very limited. Findings of this research can be of interest to carsharing operators.