image: Xinwu Qian, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University.
Credit: Rice University.
As electric vehicles (EVs) gain momentum in the fight against climate change, the conversation around public charging infrastructure is growing increasingly complex. Xinwu Qian , assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University, is spearheading research that reimagines how and where charging stations should be deployed — ensuring that alignment with people’s daily routine and activities, beyond mere accessibility, are at the forefront.
“Charging an electric vehicle isn’t just about plugging it in and waiting — it takes 30 minutes to an hour even with the fastest charger — therefore, it’s an activity layered with social, economic and practical implications,” Qian said. “While we’ve made great strides in EV adoption, the invisible barriers to public charging access remain a significant challenge.”
Qian’s work sheds light on the hidden disparities within existing public charging infrastructure. According to his research, public charging stations are more commonly located near low-income households as these residents are less likely to afford or have access to home charging. However, these stations are often far from their daily activities, making them less convenient. Conversely, while public charging stations are geographically distant from more affluent suburban neighborhoods, they tend to align better with the daily routines of these residents. This creates an opportunity gap for low-income communities, where public charging access might be available in theory but is less functional in practice.
“Disparities arising from distance measures are only part of the equation; a deeper issue emerges when we consider the actual time people can spend at different locations,” Qian said. “For lower-income households, the issue is often about time. If you’re juggling multiple jobs or family obligations, spending 30 minutes to an hour at a charging station might not be feasible, especially if it’s located far from your daily activities.”
A 2024 study led by Qian analyzed data from over 28,000 public charging stations and 5.5 million points of interest across 20 U.S. cities. The findings were stark: Income, rather than proximity, was the dominant factor in determining who benefits most from public EV infrastructure. Wealthier individuals were more likely to find a charging station at places they frequent, and they also had the flexibility to spend time at those places while charging their vehicles. Meanwhile, lower-income communities struggled to integrate public charging into their routines due to a compounded issue of shorter dwell times and less alignment with daily activities.
“Charging decisions are deeply personal,” Qian said. “People rely on intuition and habit when choosing a station, often without realizing the broader social and economic implications of their choices.”
Qian draws an unsettling comparison between today’s charging infrastructure and the interstate highway system built decades ago.
“The interstate highways were designed to connect cities, but there are many studies and evidence suggesting that they also ended up dividing communities and depriving certain neighborhoods of opportunities,” Qian said. “We’re seeing a similar pattern emerge with EV charging stations, where deployment strategies favor certain lifestyles and leave others behind. This builds upon the issues created by the interstate highways and could also exacerbate them.”
His research also highlights a troubling feedback loop: Businesses that install charging stations often target higher-income customers, perpetuating a cycle of inequity.
“It’s a sad reality,” Qian said. “If we don’t address these systemic issues now, we risk deepening the divide between those who can afford EVs and those who can’t.”
Qian’s research team is developing cognitive models that explore how people make decisions about where to charge their vehicles — research that was recently awarded a grant by the National Science Foundation. These models aim to break the “echo chamber” of intuitive decision-making, offering users strategic recommendations that align with long-term societal benefits.
Qian’s research also offers actionable recommendations for policymakers and businesses. Among them is the need to rethink how subsidies for charging stations are allocated. Instead of uniform funding, Qian advocates for targeted incentives that prioritize underserved communities and encourage businesses in these areas to install charging infrastructure.
“We can’t just rely on market forces to fix this problem,” Qian said. “Public and private sectors must work together to create an equitable charging network that benefits everyone, not just those who can afford it.”
Qian also stressed the importance of integrating charging infrastructure with community resilience strategies.
“Resilience isn’t just about preparing for disasters,” he said. “It’s about addressing chronic challenges, like ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, can participate in the transition to sustainable energy.”
As the U.S. aims to expand its EV charging network to 500,000 stations by 2030, Qian’s research provides a crucial roadmap for equitable deployment. By combining insights from engineering, sociology and behavioral psychology, he’s working to ensure that the benefits of EV adoption are distributed fairly across all communities.
“Electric vehicles are more than just a way to save money or reduce emissions; they’re an opportunity to rethink how we design our cities and serve our communities,” Qian said. “But to seize that opportunity, we need to address the inequities in our infrastructure now.”