Angela Yun | University of California, Irvine

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Presentation Description

Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) is advertised as an innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging station model that allows customers to access EV chargers through a contract with a provider responsible for design, deployment, operations, and maintenance. Little is known about the motivations and experiences of stakeholders involved in CaaS operations, including providers, electric utilities, and customers. A grey literature review identified CaaS services, provider-described benefits, and utility-provided CaaS and charging services. Then, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 stakeholders to identify critical themes on interactions between stakeholders and the perceptions, challenges, and opportunities of the CaaS business model in addressing charging station needs in California. CaaS may have structural benefits to customer-owned chargers and could improve charger reliability, provide scalable solutions, and reduce customer fatigue with EV charging deployment. However, CaaS faces the same challenges in the broader charging industry. These interviews also guide policymakers in supporting maintenance-related workforce development and streamlining and crafting EV charging infrastructure-informed subsidy programs. Additionally, stakeholders recommend municipal-led EV infrastructure planning and funding chargers in disadvantaged communities. These interviews clarify the role of CaaS within the EV charging industry and confirm the need for engaged policymaker support to clear roadblocks, support investment, and educate customers about decision-making, which benefits all EV charging players.

Speaker Biography

Angela Yun is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy at the University of California, Irvine. Her research interests involve policy implementation governing the Internet of Things (IoTs), regulation, and infrastructure.

Co-presenters

Matthew Dean
University of California, Irvine

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