The demand for electrification in Canadian fleets: A latent class modeling approach

A latent class model is estimated with revealed and stated preference data obtained from over 1000 fleet operating entities (FOEs). The model identifies four latent FOE classes,namely battery electric vehicles (BEV) leaning, EV skeptical, EV averse, and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV) oriented with class probabilities of 19%, 15%, 27% and 39%, respectively. BEV leaning FOEs seem to place high value on extended trip range and are found to agree with the notion that adopting EVsis a cost-effective decision. These FOEsare also willing to install additional charging infrastructure. Corporate FOEs, relative to their governmental counterparts inICEV orientedclass are found to be more concerned with operating cost than any other cost.Policiesgeared towards investing in public charging infrastructure, launching campaigns to highlight the cost-effectiveness of EVs, incentivising FOEs with climate action plan, and encouraging on-site charging infrastructure investmentscould accelerateEV acquisition among Canadian fleets.