Characterizing Early Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) Adopter Neighborhoods in California

Keywords: hydrogen fuel cell, network GIS, alternative fuel vehicle, early adopter, neighborhood comparison
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 16

Abstract

Prior to the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) to the California market, stated preference approaches, scenario modeling, and evaluation of early adopters of other alternative fuel vehicles all helped identify where early FCV adopters might live and travel. These studies also were considered in the process of planning the initial network of refueling stations there. Starting in late 2014, though, FCVs could be purchased or leased, allowing an opportunity to assess their actual home locations and characterize the spatial distribution of early adopter neighborhoods. Using data provided by the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP), this study identifies the U.S. Census Tracts where 8,000 early FCV adopters lived at the time they got their vehicle. Using the locations of available public retail hydrogen refueling stations at the time, network GIS analysis is used to evaluate stations’ proximity to early adopters’ neighborhoods and other important travel locations, and how convenient stations were to residents’ commuting routes when they got their FCV. Then, using sociodemographic and economic data stored at the census tract level, comparisons are made between neighborhoods of FCV adopters and: 1) likely early adopter home locations identified in a comprehensive national study conducted in 2006, 2) the locations where rebates have been used to purchase or lease battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and 3) neighborhoods where no CVRP rebates of any kind are observed. A typology of early FCV adopter neighborhoods is then produced.