Interdependence of charging infrastructure and battery demand of light electric 3-wheel motor taxis

Abstract

The paper analyses the role of publicly accessible single phase charging infrastructure with charging currents of 7 A, 10 A and 16 A in the low voltage grid for an economically viable transformation of the informal transport market of three-wheeler motorcycles in Dar es Salaam from fossil propulsion to battery electric drives. An intensive stakeholder process is conducted to analyse the socioeconomic boundary conditions for this transformation. GPS track data of 65 vehicles in four driver groups is collected for 8 days apiece. The data is analysed to study the driving demand of the informal transport market in Dar es Salaam.Our results show that the increased weight of lead acid batteries cannot be easily compensated for by installing additional charging opportunities. Coincidence factor analysis reveals, that sharing of opportunity charging infrastructure is possible without reduction of the service level. Li-ion batteries plus publically accessible charging infrastructure shows the potential for the transformation within the next 10-15 years.