Development of Zero-Emission Vehicle Evacuation Readiness Score Formulation Methodology

The rapid increase in the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) in California has led to significant changes in transportation infrastructure, power systems, and power distribution networks. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 102,507 EVs were sold in California, with total sales for the year projected to exceed 410,000 vehicles if current trends continue. This shift necessitates policy changes, particularly in evacuation procedures. Traditionally, evacuation plans have assumed that evacuees use gasoline vehicles, ignoring the unique challenges posed by EVs and ZEVs, such as the need for charging and potential impacts of power outages. This study introduces the ZEV Evacuation Readiness Score (ZEV Score), a metric designed to evaluate how well a community can respond to an evacuation scenario involving ZEVs. The effectiveness of the ZEV Score is demonstrated through a case study of Santa Cruz County California, highlighting its potential application for stakeholders and policymakers.