Speaker
Description
The global transition towards sustainable transportation systems is essential for mitigating the environmental and societal impacts of climate change. As a cornerstone of efforts to decarbonize the transport sector, electric vehicles (EVs) hold substantial potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban air quality, addressing critical global challenges. However, achieving widespread adoption of EVs is not without challenges, as unequal social and spatial access to these technologies remains a significant barrier in many regions. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology represents a transformative innovation in this context, offering the potential to align individual mobility needs with broader sustainability goals. Despite its promise, the successful implementation of V2G depends heavily on public acceptance. Current research on V2G is predominantly technical, focusing on energy systems, grid integration, and battery performance. However, public perceptions and acceptance of V2G remain rather underexplored. This knowledge gap presents a significant challenge, as public awareness, understanding, and acceptance are critical to driving adoption. Furthermore, existing studies on public perceptions of EVs and V2G are fragmented, employing diverse methodologies and often yielding inconsistent findings.
This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature on public perceptions and acceptance of EVs and V2G technology. By synthesising and critically analysing the current body of research, the study seeks to provide an updated and comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing public acceptance of V2G. A systematic search was conducted across the Scopus and Web of Science databases, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Manuscripts were screened using predefined inclusion criteria, and duplicates were managed with Rayyan software. Data extraction and coding were performed using MAXQDA, with its AI Assist functionality supporting thematic analysis.
The review included 17 manuscripts published between 2018 and 2024, with Europe, particularly the Nordic countries, leading contributions in this domain. Most studies focused on the benefits and challenges of V2G adoption, while motivations for its use received comparatively less attention. Private vehicle users, both EV and non-EV owners, were the most studied population group, with limited attention paid to institutional stakeholders and experts. Survey-based methods, particularly declared preference surveys, were the predominant data collection instruments, with sample sizes ranging from 306 participants at the local level to 5067 at the national level.
Findings show that V2G adoption is shaped by a combination of technical, economic, and behavioural factors. Key barriers include concerns about battery degradation, the limited range of EVs, and system complexity. These challenges are further compounded by spatial disparities, with urban residents prioritising infrastructure availability and rural residents focusing on range reliability. Trust in V2G technology also emerges as a critical issue, undermined by concerns over data security. Nevertheless, financial incentives such as subsidies and discounts, alongside strong personal commitments to sustainability, were identified as key drivers of acceptance and adoption.
These results highlight the critical need for evidence-based public policies that integrate technological innovation with public engagement and equity considerations. By addressing spatial and social disparities, policymakers can create conditions conducive to V2G adoption, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable energy transition. Additionally, this study provides a valuable foundation for future research and policy development, supporting the alignment of V2G technology with the needs of diverse communities and advancing global efforts to combat climate change.
| Keywords | Sustainable Mobility; Electric Vehicles; V2G; Citizens Perceptions |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
