Study of Electric Vehicles for Grid Services – A Gender-Based Approach

This paper investigates the battery degradation and financial benefits of using an EV as a car only and as a revenue source as well when participating in the electric grid services. The study looks into behaviours of female and male drivers to investigate whether gender plays an important role in battery degradation of EVs. Firstly, a battery degradation model is developed using data provided by an EV maker. Then, a breakeven point study is presented to compare between an EV and an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle cost of ownership, differentiated by usage type and gender. It is shown that if the difference in price is above 5000 GBP and the milage is low, EVs are less attractive, unless used for grid support. The results show that a single weekly grid support event is not harmful for the EV battery life but has a great impact on the breakeven point and makes the EV a competitor to the ICE vehicle which facilities the future transition to a market full of EVs. Battery degradation considering published chemistry and performance data differs very slightly between male and female users.