A Genetic Algorithm-Based Holistic Approach to Optimize Charging Decisions of Traveling Electric Vehicles

Uncoordinated and instantaneous charging decisions made by electric vehicle (EV) drivers create bottlenecks in existing infrastructure, leading to inefficiencies and prolonged waiting times, and resource losses that challenge sustainable transportation systems. This study proposes a “scenario-based” optimization approach targeting the stochastic behaviors of independent EV drivers, incorporating individual risk-taking profiles and balking mechanisms to promote infrastructure sustainability. The proposed algorithm integrates a discrete-event simulation with a Genetic Algorithm (GA) as a decision support mechanism. The optimization focuses on a vehicle cohort entering the route once the system reaches a steady-state saturation point during peak evening hours. GA parameters are optimized using the Taguchi method to maximize robustness. The results demonstrate that, compared to the baseline scenario where drivers act individually, the proposed decision-making mechanism can achieve up to a 20% reduction in the total travel time of the optimized vehicle group. Overall, the proposed model offers a scalable framework for optimizing individual charging behaviors, thereby contributing to more predictable, resource-efficient, and sustainable management of electric vehicle charging infrastructures.