FACILITY LOCATION PLANNING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS IN INDIAN CITY – A CASE STUDY OF CHANDIGARH

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional vehicles due to their numerous advantages, including lower emissions, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and potential cost savings. Governments have implemented policies, incentives, and subsidies to promote the adoption of EVs. However, the rate of acceptance among people remains relatively slow. One major challenge hindering widespread adoption is range anxiety, particularly in countries like India. One of the key solutions to encourage EV adoption is the availability of a well-distributed charging infrastructure. In India, however, there has been limited research conducted in determining the optimal location for charging stations. To bridge this gap, this study aims to propose an approach that integrates Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to determine the location of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS). Various factors that influence the location of charging stations were identified through a review of existing research papers in the field and further refined based on expert opinions specific to Chandigarh city. The Best Worst Method (BWM), an MCDM technique, was employed to calculate the weightage of these selected factors, considering their relative importance. Using GIS tools, each factor was mapped to create individual layers, and weightages were assigned to reflect their significance. By overlaying and intersecting these weighted map layers, the final appropriate locations for EVCS were determined. This approach allows for a systematic and objective assessment of potential charging station sites.