Grid-Connected Photovoltaics Electric Vehicles Charging Stations on Existing Service-Areas on Motorway in Pakistan /

Abstract

The global automobile industry is evolving toward electric vehicles (EVs) in order to mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuels emitting 23% of greenhouse gas (GHG) globally. The existing grid infrastructure is being strained. Adoption of EVs comes with its own set of difficulties. Currently, charging station infrastructure is extremely limited, and the majority of existing charging stations are powered by the utility grid. Photovoltaic charging infrastructure for electric vehicles may contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions. The optimal configuration of grid-connected photovoltaics (GCPV) for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) on the existing services along the Islamabad-Lahore motorway section of the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) eastern route is assessed technically and economically in this research, with a focus on cost-effective charging of EVs while taking environmental emissions into account, in accordance with Pakistan's energy economics. The estimated EV load model is designed using National Highway Authority (NHA) data. The findings reveal that 300 kW GCPV system for EVCS is the investment efficient based on highest net present value (NPV) among all GCPV’s. The results demonstrate that the systems generate 461,802 kWh and 437,845 kWh of energy annually at a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of around 3.11 ¢/kWh and 3.28 ¢/kWh in Islamabad and Lahore, respectively. It has a payback time of 2.4 years, making the suggested GCPV system for EVCS economically viable. The research will assist in identifying comparable GCPV sites on South Asian highways. Moreover, the combination of GCPV electricity and EVCS may provide an opportunity for investment and long-term sustainability in the EV sector of developing countries.