A Framework for Quantifying the Benefits of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development

Authors

Donya Negahbani, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Li Zhao

Committee Members

Jason Hawkins, Nathan Huynh, Abigail Cochran

Date of this Version

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Major: Civil Engineering

Under the supervision of Professor Li Zhao

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2025

Comments

Copyright 2025, Donya Negahbani. Used by permission

Abstract

Under the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, a significant portion of benefits derived from federal clean transportation investments is required to be directed to disadvantaged communities. Meeting this mandate necessitates a transparent and reproducible approach that quantifies various dimensions of value and allocates them equitably. This dissertation presents a flexible framework specifically tailored for the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Nebraska, effectively translating equity goals into rigorous spatial and economic analyses. The framework first identifies multiple distinct categories of benefit that reflect the societal value of charging access: energy savings, economic opportunities, environmental quality enhancements, and public health improvements. It then implements a multistage analytical process at the neighborhood level, which includes forecasting charging demand, converting usage into electricity consumption, computing benefits across each category, spatially allocating these benefits based on proximity and demographic context, translating outcomes into monetary terms using established valuation metrics, and assessing equity outcomes through spatial statistical measures. To operate these steps, an Excel-based scenario planning tool has been developed to assist users in navigating from initial inputs to interactive maps that display benefit distributions. This tool allows users to input proposed charging station locations and immediately observe how each decision influences the balance of benefits. When applied to Nebraska’s electric vehicle infrastructure plan, the analysis indicates that urban centers tend to capture the majority of cumulative benefits, while many disadvantaged neighborhoods experience significantly fewer gains, thereby falling short of the intended equity standards. Spatial clustering analysis confirms this imbalance and highlights the necessity for more targeted deployment strategies. By integrating a clear and replicable method with an intuitive tool, this research equips engineers, community advocates, and local agencies with the capability to monitor, compare, and enhance the effectiveness of charging investments in reaching underserved areas. Although demonstrated within the context of Nebraska, this step-by-step process holds the potential for adaptation in any region where clean transportation funding must be strategically directed toward communities in need.

Advisor: Li Zhao