The diffusion of electric vehicles: An agent-based microsimulation

McCoy, Daire and Lyons, Sean (2014): The diffusion of electric vehicles: An agent-based microsimulation.

Abstract

We implement an agent-based, threshold model of innovation diffusion to simulate the adoption of electric vehicles among Irish households. We use detailed survey microdata to develop a nationally representative, heterogeneous agent population. We then calibrate our agent population to reflect the aggregate socioeconomic characteristics of a number of geographic areas of interest. Our data allow us to create agents with socioeconomic characteristics and environmental preferences. Agents are placed within social networks through which the diffusion process propagates. We find that even if overall adoption is relatively low, mild peer effects could result in large clusters of adopters forming in certain areas. This may put pressure on electricity distribution networks in these areas.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Electric vehicles; Agent-based modelling; Spatial microsimulation
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C6 - Mathematical Methods ; Programming Models ; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling > C63 - Computational Techniques ; Simulation Modeling; D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Innovation ; Research and Development ; Technological Change ; Intellectual Property Rights > O33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences ; Diffusion Processes; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q4 - Energy; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q55 - Technological Innovation

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