Best Practices for Electric Vehicle Cost Calculator User Interfaces [Policy Brief]

Details

• Creators:
  Sanguinetti, Angela
• Corporate Creators:
  National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST) ; University of California, Davis. Institute of Transportation Studies
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Consumer preferences
  • Consumers
  • Electric vehicles
  • Energy resources
  • Internal combustion engines
  • Operating costs
  • User interfaces (Computer science)
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.7922/G2ZK5DXT
• Resource Type:
  Brief
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Policy Brief
• Corporate Publisher:
  National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST) (UTC) ; University of California, Davis. Institute of Transportation Studies
• Abstract:
  Consumer education regarding the costs of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in comparison with similar gasoline vehicles, is important for adoption. However, the complexity of comparing gasoline and electricity prices, and balancing long-term return on-investment from fuel and maintenance savings with purchase premiums for EVs, makes it difficult for consumers to assess potential economic advantages. Online vehicle cost calculators (VCCs) may help consumers navigate this complexity by providing tailored estimates of different types of vehicles costs for users and enabling comparisons across multiple vehicles. However, VCCs range widely and there has been virtually no behavioral research to identify functionalities and features that determine their usefulness in engaging and educating consumers and promoting EV adoption. This research draws on a behavioral theory, systematic review of available VCCs, and user research with three VCCs to articulate design recommendations for effective VCCs.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  69A3551747114
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/66856/dot_66856_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 708.68 KB]
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:22bf15208be38eb046577369d75721440155360e86d2bb78c1ae7e37d6f9a9edd720064fca561720f3c22957c5be79f63e4a5d3b0fe4a2096b184be2686f12ad