Unlocking the Value of Public EV Chargers: A Data-Driven Case Study from Gothenburg, Sweden

The growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the rapid expansion of public charging infrastructure pose new challenges and opportunities for energy systems, particularly in urban settings. This study presents an optimization-based evaluation of different EV charging strategies including direct charging, average-based methods, smart charging, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) at public parking lots using real-world charging session data. This data-driven model is set to optimize the public EV charging of vehicles in Gothenburg, without sacrificing on the energy requirement while minimizing charging costs for the operators. Results indicate that direct charging scenarios lead to significantly higher peak loads (up to 1286 kW) and costs (around 370 k€), highlighting their inefficiency under unmanaged operation. In contrast, smart charging reduces peak loads by approximately 47% and overall costs by around 74%, showcasing its potential for cost-effective grid-friendly operation. Two different V2G scenarios were tested based on the impact of discharged power accounted for in peak costs, though it enables energy discharge back to the grid, the benefits remain modest under current assumptions due to tight operational constraints and limited incentives. The study emphasizes the value of smart optimization and appropriate market design in enhancing the flexibility and cost efficiency of public EV charging systems.