Who can recharge a plug-in electric vehicle at home?

We construct consumer-informed estimates of residential access to vehicle charging to guide understanding of plug-in electric vehicle demand, use, and energy impacts. Using a web-based survey, study 1 estimates that about half of new car-buying US households park at least one vehicle within 25 ft of a Level 1 (110/120 V) electrical outlet at home. Study 2 estimates that just under one-third of new car-buying households in San Diego County have access to Level 2 (220/240 V) charging. Further, 20% of the sample are both able and willing to install Level 2 PEV recharging infrastructure at the prices examined.

► Two American surveys characterize household recharge access for plug-in electric vehicles.
► In the national survey, half of new vehicle buyers in the US are found to park within 25 ft of access to 110/120 V power.
► Two-thirds of those surveyed in San Diego have vehicle access to 110/120 V power, and one-third to 220/240 V.
► Twenty percent of San Diego households are able and willing to install 220/240 V power for vehicle charging based on a customized price model.