Exploring the potential of placing charging stations at relief stands for EV fleets in ride-hailing and taxi services

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in public transportation services, particularly in sectors like bus and taxi operations. This paper focuses on the management of EV fleets within the specific framework of ride-hailing services. To comprehensively assess various aspects of such a system, a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) model has been developed, with a thorough description provided herein. The DES is used to investigate various charging strategies with different levels of involvement of the dispatcher, evaluating their impact on operational efficiency and financial performance. One notable aspect explored is the potential utilization of taxi relief stands as charging station locations for EV fleets. The proposed system is analysed through a case study for New York City. is analyzed in detail. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of charger quantity within the system and the level of dispatcher engagement. Leveraging real-world data, the case study provides valuable insights into the practical implementation potential of the proposed system, offering actionable guidance for future applications in this domain.