Incentives and motives for taxi drivers to switch to Electric Taxis; the case of Amsterdam Milan Tamis Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences Consumer research

Covenant Article 3: Offer subsidy Article 4: Priority incentive Improve charging infrastructure Article 6: Low-emission zone

Taxistand Full Electric Vehicles (FEV) Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV)

Oct 2015 1:4 clean Timeline

Jan 2017 1:3 clean Oct 2015 1:4 clean Timeline

TBA 2017 1:2 clean Jan 2017 1:3 clean Oct 2015 1:4 clean Timeline

Timeline Jan 2018 100% clean TBA 2017 1:2 clean Jan 2017 1:3 clean Oct 2015 1:4 clean Timeline

Timeline Jan 2021 100% FEV Jan 2018 100% clean TBA 2017 1:2 clean Oct 2015 1:4 clean Timeline

Research question How do the taxi drivers in Amsterdam experience the priority incentive on the taxistand of Amsterdam Central Station and; which reasons do these taxidrivers have to switch, or refrain from switching, to an electric vehicle?

Research design Semi-structured interviews 17 taxi drivers 7 different organizations 4 different type of vehicles (ICEV, FEV, PHEV en NGV)

Drivers Frequently visit CS Same group of drivers Experience more customers here than elsewhere Short rides: €15 - € 20 But: new stand leaves them dissatisfied

Evaluation priority incentive 1:4 Clean vehicle drivers: Experience no advantage anymore Avoid taxistand NGV not visible ICEV drivers: Experience incentive as unfair Clean vehicle fleet grows

Evaluation priority incentive 1:4 1:3 Clean vehicle drivers: Experience no advantage anymore Avoid taxistand NGV not visible Will visit CS more Clean vehicle fleet will grow Realize individual advantage might decrease ICEV drivers: Experience incentive as unfair Clean vehicle fleet grows Feel to have no choice: will still visit CS

Evaluation priority incentive 1:4 1:3 100% clean Clean vehicle drivers: Experience no advantage anymore Avoid taxistand NGV not visible Will visit CS more Clean vehicle fleet will grow Realize individual advantage might decrease Will remain at CS ICEV drivers: Experience incentive as unfair Clean vehicle fleet grows Feel to have no choice: will still visit CS N/A

Discontent ‘’Why are PHEV marked as clean?’’ ‘’I drive a van, there is no electric alternative!’’ ‘’I can’t charge here.’’

Why switch to an electric vehicle? FEV drivers PHEV/NGV drivers ICEV drivers Positive Priority incentive Environmentally friendly Driving experience Customer reactions Negative Small(er) range Price of FEV Afraid to turn away customers Charge during long rides

Why switch to an electric vehicle? FEV drivers PHEV/NGV drivers ICEV drivers Positive Priority incentive Environmentally friendly Driving experience Customer reactions Negative Small(er) range Price of FEV Afraid to turn away customers Charge during long rides

Why switch to an electric vehicle? FEV drivers PHEV/NGV drivers ICEV drivers Positive Priority incentive Environmentally friendly Driving experience Customer reactions Negative Small(er) range Price of FEV Afraid to turn away customers Charge during long rides

FEV Charging Where? Fastchargers CS: At home Fastchargers in city Fastchargers CS: Well used Considered expensive Drivers never skip a call while charging Expansion of charging infrastructure

Why switch to an electric vehicle? FEV drivers PHEV/NGV drivers ICEV drivers Positive Priority incentive Environmentally friendly Driving experience Customer reactions Negative Small(er) range Price of FEV Afraid to turn away customers Charge during long rides

‘’I am not going to drive a Prius or a Nissan!’’ ‘’But who can afford a Tesla?’’

What is the ICEV taxi driver most likely going to do? Adaptation Avoidance

Approved Taxi Organisation ICEV driver FEV CNG/PHEV Approved Taxi Organisation Drive around Other taxi stands Uber Other cities Adaptation Avoidance

Conclusion 1: The priority incentive seems to be effective Main reason for FEV drivers to switch Attractive for all other drivers 2: ICEV drivers have a wide variety of options to avoid FEV adoption 3: Removal of adoption barriers necessary Further research: Incentives: evaluate and develop other incentives Adoption: determine reasons to (not) switch to FEV Financial: explore business case

Thank you!