On the Road: How EV Users Actually Utilize Their Vehicles

As the electrification of vehicles begins to become more widespread, the driving range and charging capabilities of electric vehicle (EV) adoption patterns have been widely studied. Yet the next step — how these vehicles are actually used once purchased — has not been as scrutinized. 

Recognizing this research gap, ASPIRE researchers at Purdue University examined how both charger availability and vehicle driving range impacted the annual EV mileage. 

“What surprised me most about this project was that while there’s a significant uptake in EV adoption, there is surprisingly little empirical data on how these vehicles are actually driven in the real world,” said Lavan Teja Burra, a postdoctoral researcher with ASPIRE.  

To determine how EVs are used in the day-to-day life, Sarangi Jayaram, the lead author and ASPIRE MSCE student, worked with Burra to utilize survey results to inform their research. 

“It was fascinating to engage in ‘invisible conversations’ with anonymous reviewers,” Burra said. “It made us look at the data through a completely different lens, which ultimately made the final science much more robust than it was on day one.” 

Through their research, they discovered the relationship between the different factors on the range anxiety experienced by EV owners, unveiling a more nuanced understanding of EV travel patterns and their impact. 

“While there’s evidence that increasing driving range and charging access reduce range anxiety for EV users, we found that these two factors actually act as substitutes for one another in driving demand,” Burra explained. “Specifically, we found that access to workplace charging for drivers with shorter- or mid-range EVs facilitates higher annual mileage, essentially making up for a smaller battery. As vehicle range increases, this dependency on workplace charging diminishes.” 

Their research, entitled “Joint Influence of Driving Range and Charging Infrastructure on Electric Vehicle Utilization,” is designed to be “meaningful for policymakers and public alike,” according to Nadia Gkritza, the supervisor of the research team. 

“By investigating how driving range and charging infrastructure interact to affect EV utilization, we are providing valuable insights that can help optimize infrastructure planning and support the broader adoption of EVs,” Gkritza explained. 

Building on their prior work at ASPIRE by shifting their focus to realized, post-adoption usage behavior, these researchers are paving the way for an electrified future. 

“Our study emphasizes the importance of workplace charging, especially for shorter-range EVs,” Gkritza said. “This could be a gamechanger in making EVs more accessible and practical for daily use.” 

For the latest news, publications, and research highlights from ASPIRE, visit aspire.usu.edu. 

About ASPIRE: 

ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development to accelerate electrification. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu. 

Contacts: 

Kat Webb
Content Director
Marketing & Communications 
ASPIRE ERC  

Writer: 

Kayleigh Kearsley 
Marketing & Communications Intern 
ASPIRE ERC