Optimizing Public-Private Partnerships for EV Charging Infrastructure: A Causal Modeling Approach Using Fuzzy DEMATEL

Current electric vehicle charging infrastructure is significantly inadequate, with the U.S., Europe, and the U.K. requiring over 550%, 5.5-fold, and 350% growth respectively to meet 2030 deployment targets. This shortage of infrastructure limits sustainable mobility and impedes progress toward clean energy goals. Given the substantial investment and complex coordination required, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) represent a viable mechanism for accelerating infrastructure deployment and are instrumental in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17. This study investigates the key barriers facing PPP-driven EV charging initiatives and proposes strategies to enhance their effectiveness. The objectives of this study were achieved by first conducting a literature review to identify key challenges in PPP-based EV infrastructure. Subsequently, expert input was gathered via structured questionnaires. Finally, Fuzzy DEMATEL, using triangular fuzzy numbers, was applied to visualize cause-effect relationships among the identified factors. The analysis reveals that financial viability and high capital expenditure (C1: 8.107), lack of a regulatory framework (C5: 8.081), grid capacity and reliability (C7: 6.921), and land acquisition hurdles (C8: 6.579) are the most influential barriers to successful PPP implementation. These factors significantly affect investment decisions, policy clarity, and execution efficiency. Other critical challenges include ambiguity in viable business models (C10: 7.216) and complex approval procedures (C4: 5.525). The study recommends targeted policy interventions such as capital subsidies, concessional loans, regulatory streamlining, and decentralized solutions tailored to underserved regions. By uniquely applying Fuzzy DEMATEL to this context, the study offers a structured framework for optimizing PPP models, strengthening public-private collaboration, and accelerating scalable EVCS infrastructure development in India.