CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AS A KEY ENABLER FOR SUSTAINABLE TWO-WHEELER EV TRANSPORTATION IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) have shown themselves to be innovative and sustainable solutions for the future of transport in the developing world, and therefore in the South Asian region in particular, as two-wheeler transport has remained the foremost form of personal transport. However, it has also remained that the widespread use of E2Ws has so far remained restricted by various factors, with the lack of charging infrastructure being one of the foremost among these. This research paper has comprehensively amalgamated the viewpoints of geospatial analysis, analyzing the demand for charging points, the aspect of harnessing solar energy as an alternative to traditional charging methods, and making it user-friendly to cover the subject matter. The current research work has employed a combination of mixed methodologies that aimed at a qualitative and quantitative analysis of spatial optimization strategies as well as a comprehension of user behavior with regards to different scenarios of electric vehicle uptake. The preliminary results indicate that it may be possible to lower operating expenses up to 30-40% by using a charging points network with a 20km range of high demand areas, in addition to emphasizing solar and wind resources. A well-balanced demand with an assorted group of users might also be achieved. The current study makes a valuable addition to a new body of knowledge on sustainable mobility infrastructure planning practices within a South Asian setting and provides useful recommendations regarding strategies that could promote a take-up of electric transportation systems among different stakeholder groups.