Examining User-Range Interaction in Battery Electric Vehicles - a Field Study Approach

In order to provide users with an optimal range-related user experience, it is essential to develop a comprehensive understanding of everyday user-range interaction. For this to happen, it is important to sample a high amount of situations where battery-electric vehicle (BEV) users must actively interact with the range resources of their BEV. The present contribution presents the methodology (i.e., a toolbox to study user-range interaction) and preliminary results of a field study that was designed to reach this objective: The BMW ActiveE long-distance commuter field trial in the area of Leipzig, Germany. Within this study, a sample of 75 customers was given the opportunity to drive a BEV for three months. Applicants were recruited via an online screening questionnaire. In order to be selected, participants had to drive at least 90 km per day. A comprehensive data set was generated based on qualitative interviews, questionnaires, diary methods, and data loggers. Relevant constructs were identified and translated into items/scales or specific score definitions. Initial results show that even users who have high daily mobility needs can cope with the limited range of a BEV. However, results also point to the potential of strategies aimed at supporting users in adapting to BEV range to reach an optimal user experience even under conditions of high range demand.

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