Impact of 100% vehicle electrification on the distribution grid in dense urban regions

Vehicle electrification is a requisite for cities to combat global warming. A key challenge associated with the wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is the impact of charging on distribution networks. The problem is further exacerbated in dense urban regions, where space is intrinsically limited. If the grid infrastructure is too constrained, it will dictate locations where EV chargers can be deployed without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. In dense urban regions, this may hinder or slow down adoption. This paper investigates the impact of EV charging on the distribution grid in dense urban regions, with a focus on a case study based in Harlem, a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City (NYC). The impact of EV charging on the distribution grid depends on several factors, including the number of charging stations, their locations, and the charging demand they result in, which also relate to consumers' charging behavior. To evaluate this impact, load flow analysis was carried out for a futuristic scenario assuming all personal cars become EVs, with a focus on voltage drop and transformer/feeder overloading. It was found that with proper siting of chargers and scheduling for charging the distribution grid can handle a 100% EV scenario without infrastructure upgrade.