Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Bhutan: Performance Analysis, User Experiences, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Electric Vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a transformative technology in the global car market,offering improved performance and environmental benefits over traditional vehicles. However,despite their growing popularity, widespread adoption has been hindered by challenges such asinadequate charging infrastructure and high costs. This study examines the experiences of EV usersin Bhutan, focusing on charging habits, battery performance, and user satisfaction. This is the firststudy in Bhutan to combine both user experience data and technical performance analysis of EVcharging infrastructure, providing a complete understanding of the current EV system. The surveywas conducted in four Dzongkhags namely Thimphu, Samdrup Jongkhar, Phuentsholing andTrashigang. In addition, this study also includes performance analysis, focusing on power qualitymeasurement at charging station located at Samdrup Jongkhar. By incorporating on-site powerquality measurements, this study assesses the impact of EV charging on the local electrical grid.Survey findings reveal significant concerns about charging station availability, limited drivingrange of EVs and battery degradation, which impact overall user experience. While respondentsacknowledge the environmental and economic benefits of EVs, they emphasize the need for morecharging stations, better maintenance of EV charging stations and affordable pricing. The findingscan guide policymakers by highlighting the need for government action to achieve 70% EV salesby 2035. Future work should focus on optimizing charging station placement, ensuringsustainability through renewable energy integration, and addressing battery performance concernsto ensure a seamless transition to electric mobility.