Electrifying Urban Transportation: A Comparative Study of Battery Swap Stations and Charging Infrastructure for Taxis in Chicago
Sofia Borgosano, Daniele Martini, Michela Longo, Federica Foiadelli
Abstract
In recent years, the Electric Vehicles (EVs) industry has experienced rapid growth, driven by advancements in battery technology, environmental awareness, and government incentives. However, traditional charging infrastructure’s limited availability and long charging times pose significant challenges, especially for long-distance travel and public service vehicles like taxis, buses, and law enforcement vehicles. This work explores the innovative concept of Battery Swap Stations (BSSs), an emerging technology poised to transform the EV charging landscape. It specifically focuses on electric taxis operating in Chicago’s urban environment, highlighting the substantial benefits this technology can offer. BSSs demonstrated to dramatically reduce charging times, improving taxi service efficiency and increasing revenue potential. Instead, conductive charging impacts the working time of taxis across all case studies (as observed in the Level 2 charger scenario) While BSS technology has its drawbacks, such as optimal location challenges and battery management complexities, it has the potential to significantly enhance service quality. Additionally, these stations hold the promise of not only increasing urban transportation system efficiency but also contributing to their sustainability.