Potential demand and cost-benefit analysis of electric cars

Abstract

In this study an analysis of electric family car performances is carried out. In particular, the aim of this research is to appraise the possibility of introducing electric cars in urban mobility and the evaluation of its economic feasibility. First of all, we determined the potential electric car demand, which was forecasted using a stated preference (SP) analysis. The survey was carried out at the University of Palermo considering a particular target of consumer: “the hybrid household”. A logit demand model was calibrated using the SP technique to model the choice between the electric car and the conventional one. In the second part of the work, the economic feasibility of the electric car is analysed by comparing the operating cost per kilometre of the internal combustion car with that of the electric one. Two options were analysed for electric cars: car purchase and car sharing.