Electric Vehicle Load Shape Development for Electric Utility Planning

This report focuses on ways electric utilities can estimate electric vehicle (EV) load shapes. EV load shapes are important for utility distribution and system planning and are becoming critical as the number of EVs charging on the electric system increases. Without incorporating the impacts of EV charging into utility planning, the industry risks insufficient capacity on the distribution system and on supply as more and more customers adopt EVs. This white paper provides definitions, presents general background information on EVs, explains why EV load shapes are important, describes considerations and decisions that must be made for a study to develop EV load shapes, and provides examples of key research questions that should be considered in any EV load study.