How Does the Urban Built Environment Affect the Accessibility of Public Electric-Vehicle Charging Stations? A Perspective on Spatial Heterogeneity and a Non-Linear Relationship

The deployment of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) is crucial for the large-scale adoption of electric vehicles and the sustainable energy development of global cities. However, existing research on the spatial distribution of EVCSs has provided limited analysis of spatial equity from the perspective of supply–demand relationships. Furthermore, studies examining the influence of the built environment on EVCS accessibility are scarce, and often rely on single methods and perspectives. To explore the spatial characteristics of EVCS accessibility and its influencing factors, using multi-source urban spatial data, this study initially employs the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (G2SFCA) method to measure and analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of EVCS accessibility in Guangzhou, China, with consideration of supply–demand relationships. Subsequently, it integrates the MGWR and random forest (RF) models to comprehensively investigate the impact mechanism of the built environment on EVCS accessibility from the perspectives of spatial heterogeneity and non-linear relationship. The results show that the EVCS accessibility exhibits a “ higher in the west and lower in the east, with extreme core concentration” distribution pattern, and has significant spatial autocorrelation. The built-environment variables exhibit different scale effects and spatial non-stationarity, with widespread non-linear effects. Among them, the auto service, distance to regional center, and distance to subway station play important roles in influencing EVCS accessibility. These findings offer important guidance for the efficient and equitable layout of EVCSs in high-density cities.