Optimizing Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure on Highways: A Multi-Agent-Based Planning Approach

The lack of sufficient charging infrastructure for long-haul transportation is a significant barrier preventing the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Planning EV charging facilities in this context requires considerations distinct from those in urban environments, accounting for factors such as traffic patterns and charging behaviors. This research paper presents a multi-agent simulation model designed to assess travel and charging activities, specifically on highways. By utilizing this model, the effectiveness of EV charging facility planning is evaluated. Empirical data from a real highway section in China are employed for analysis purposes. The findings reveal that the concentration of charging facilities significantly impacts both travel time and queue time for vehicles, demonstrating the potential for optimization through the proposed model. These established models hold practical value for both greenfield development and the expansion of existing charging networks, with the goal of minimizing total social costs.