The Impact of Electric Charging Unit Conversion on the Performance of Fuel Stations Located in Urban Areas: A Sustainable Approach

The rapid increase in electric vehicle (EV) ownership necessitates the adaptation of fuel stations to charging infrastructure and the re-evaluation of capacity planning. In the literature, demand forecasting and installation costs are mostly examined; however, station-scale queue analyses supported by field data remain limited. This study aims to examine the integration of EV charging in fuel stations through simulation-based capacity analyses, taking current conditions into account. In this context, a scenario in which one and two dual-hose pumps at a fuel station located on the Turkey–Istanbul E-5 highway side-road is converted into a charging unit has been evaluated using a discrete-event microsimulation model. The analyses were conducted using a discrete event-based microsimulation model. The simulation inputs were derived from field observations and survey data, including the hourly arrival rates of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), the dwell times at the station, and the charging durations of EVs. In the study, station capacity and service performance were evaluated under scenarios representing EV shares of 5%, 10%, and 20% within the country’s passenger vehicle fleet. Within the scope of the study, the hourly arrival rates and dwell times of ICEVs were determined through field measurements, while EV charging durations were assessed by jointly analyzing field observations and survey data. Simulation results showed that the average number of waiting vehicles increases as the EV share rises; for example, in the 10% EV share scenario, 15.6 (±0.84) EVs were observed waiting within the station, while 34.06 (±1.23) EVs were identified in the 20% scenario. These queues constrict internal circulation within the station, limiting the maneuverability of ICEVs and causing delays in overall service operations. Furthermore, when two dual-hose pumps are replaced with charging units, noticeable increases in waiting times emerge, particularly during the evening peak period. Specifically, 5.88% of ICEVs experienced queuing between 17:00–18:00, rising to 12.33% between 18:00–19:00. In conclusion, this study provides a practical and robust model for short- and medium-term capacity planning and offers data-driven, actionable insights for decision-makers during the transition of fuel stations to EV charging infrastructure.