Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Risk from Hazardous Events and Power Outages

Abstract: The resilience of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a notable challenge as the transportation sector transitions toward electrification, driven by the need to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This paper examines the risks posed by natural hazards and power outages to electric vehicle charging stations in the United States, with a focus on understanding how these risks impact charging infrastructure. We analyze correlations between national risk index scores and the deployment of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations, utilizing national risk index score, geospatial charging infrastructure data, and records of electric disturbance events from the year 2023. Our findings reveal weak but statistically significant correlations between the distribution of both Level 2 and DCFC chargers and national risk index score, with severe weather and natural hazards emerging as primary causes of power outages that disrupt charging operations, particularly in counties of high-risk states like Texas. The risk threshold analysis in Texan counties identifies a critical tipping point, a risk index score greater than 97.18, where the probability of power outages due to natural hazards increases significantly, providing a clear decision-making guideline to prioritize infrastructure hardening and fortification as well as adaptation measures in high-risk and hazard-prone regions.