Using electric vehicles to power houses or travel during blackouts triggered by natural hazards: A choice experiment in Japan

This study focuses on the conflict between powering houses with electric vehicles (EVs) and using them for transportation during natural hazard-triggered blackouts. The authors assessed the conditions under which the choice between using EVs for powering houses or travelling varied. In particular, they conducted a choice experiment with EV-owning households in Japan, using a questionnaire based on the stated preference approach.

The respondents were presented with a hypothetical scenario immediately after a blackout caused by an earthquake. They were asked whether, in the case of a blackout, they would prefer to use their EVs for travelling or powering their houses while considering the season, time of the day, weather, and EV battery level. The authors considered two travel destinations: 1) shopping centers (to obtain supplies) and 2) public charging stations (to recharge EVs). Based on responses of 300 individuals (150 individuals for each destination), we used discrete choice models to identify the blackout conditions and household characteristics that could influence the choice. Overall, individuals preferred using EVs for powering houses rather than for travelling to each destination; however, this tendency varied by conditions and characteristics (e.g., stronger on rainy days, but weaker in spring or fall, or among households with people requiring care). Based on the results, the researchers suggest measures to enable the use of power at home while achieving the purpose of travelling.