Plug-in behavior of electric vehicles users: Insights from a large-scale trial and impacts for grid integration studies

Electric vehicle (EV) grid integration presents significant challenges and opportunities for electricity system operation planning. Proper assessment of the costs benefits involved in EV hinges on correctly modeling evaluating EV-user driving charging patterns. Recent studies have evidenced that users do not plug their every day (here called non-systematic plug-in behavior), which can alter impacts flexibility fleets provide to system. This work set out evaluate effect considering behavior studies. To so, an open-access agent-based simulation model includes a probabilistic decision module was developed calibrated match observed Nation project, large-scale smart trial. Analysis shows tend between 2 3 times per week, with lower frequency large-battery EVs large heterogeneity user preferences. Results computed using our show effects reduce impact charging, especially price-responsive as fewer charge simultaneously. On other hand, available flexibility, particularly when current trends towards larger battery sizes. Counter-intuitively, reduced compared small-battery fleets, both power stored energy, due higher energy requirements session. Improving ratios appears key enabler flexibility. In comparison, augmenting increase provided by but at expense distribution grids.