Intelligent pricing model for EV charging using potential game theory

In response to the challenges of unreasonable charging pricing and long waiting times faced in the promotion of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China, this paper proposes a charging pricing strategy based on game equilibrium theory. By the end of 2025, the stock of NEVs in China had exceeded 17.43 million, but approximately 30% of consumers still remain on the sidelines regarding vehicle purchases due to range anxiety, unreasonable pricing, and concerns about charging congestion. Existing studies on multi-agent game models for charging pricing often lack explicit pricing derivation and ignore analysis of charging modes, potentially leading to chaos in market prices. This study first analyzes the profit matrices and competitive scenarios among operators, then compares the impact of pricing schemes on profits and user satisfaction, and finally validates the strategy through a case study in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai. The results show that the proposed strategy significantly improves charging station revenue, enhances user satisfaction, and alleviates regional congestion by balancing operator profits and user demand. This research provides a theoretical basis for optimizing charging pricing mechanisms against the backdrop of continuously increasing NEV penetration.