Study on Influence Factors of Electric Vehicles Charging Station Location Based on ISM and FMICMAC

Along with the rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles, there is urgent need to construct electric vehicles charging stations (EVCSs) to satisfy the charging demand. However, during the process of carrying out quantitative and qualitative analysis on location decisions, it is necessary to make clear the relationships and role between various factors which make impacts on charging station location. Studies are inadequate in analyzing the influence factors with regard to this respect. This study aims to identify the influence factors, as well as the driving and dependence power of these factors and to analyze the interactions among them. This work proposes to use interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and Matriced'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement (fuzzy cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification) (FMICMAC) based approach which is a novel effort in this sector. Moreover, rankings of the identified factors have also been obtained. Based on review of literature and brainstorming among experts in the EVCS field and academia, this paper puts forward 12 factors that impact EVCS location in five aspects. After ISM and FMICMAC analysis, it is concluded that area attribute and geographical environment are defined as key factors while construction cost and annual operation and maintenance cost are the objective factors. The developed integrated structured model will be beneficial in understanding the interrelationship and dependency among the identified factors.