Empirical Evaluation of Behavioral Interventions to Enhance Flexibility Provision in Smart Charging

The growing adoption of Electric vehicles (EVs) puts pressure on the power grid, and implementing smart solutions can ease this pressure. Smart charging at home is a solution where users offer flexibility in their charging schedule, which energy suppliers and/or other aggregators can exploit by charging during times of low demand and low market prices. However, giving charging control to the energy provider can concern EV users, particularly about driving range, and give a sense of loss of control. We conducted an experimental online survey with EV users (n = 289), examining the effect and perception of different behavioral interventions to improve flexibility provision. We found that all monetary incentives (high, low, credit points) resulted in higher flexibility, while environmental framing, feedback and badges, default-setting, and battery-related tips had no effect. The perception of all behavioral interventions did not correlate significantly with the flexibility offered for any of the interventions.