Bridging the gap in workplace charging requirements between demand and supply sides

Workplace charging can promote the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by improving the charging experience of employees. Incorporating both demand (BEV commuters) and supply (employer) perspectives is essential for developing sustainable workplace charging plans. To assess gaps in workplace charging requirements between the two sides, we adopt an approach estimating potential charging demand based on the charging behavior of BEV drivers and optimizing the installation plan that prioritizes infrastructure utilization. A case study conducted in the Japanese metropolitan area indicated that demand-side requirements were approximately 2.4–4.5 times greater than supply-side estimates, and this gap reduced exponentially when more drivers share chargers. Our approach visualizes trade-offs between user convenience and infrastructure utilization while exploring workplace charging policies. This assessment framework offers basic insights into efficient charging infrastructure planning and can be adapted to cities globally to identify demand–supply gaps.