On the value of orderly electric vehicle charging in carbon emission reduction

By Zhibin Chen on 10/30/2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in 1611 Titan Dr., Rantoul, IL 61866

Join Zhibin Chen of New York University Shanghai as he presents in person at the Fall 2025 Kent Seminar Series Thursday, October 30 from 2-3 p.m. (CT).

The Fall 2025 semester is set to feature 13 presentations, each addressing a topic related to electrification in mobility. 

Pizza and soft drinks will be provided beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the ICT Classroom. 

All presentations will be held on Zoom, but some speakers will present in person at ICT.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://go.illinois.edu/KentSeminar

Meeting ID: 881 1157 1273
Passcode: 462549

Abstract and Bio

This study presents a bi-level modeling framework to quantify the carbon-reduction value of orderly electric vehicle charging. The upper-level model optimizes each electric vehicle driver’s charging schedule to minimize total carbon emissions without disrupting travel plans, while the lower-level model determines the power dispatch plan that meets demand at the lowest cost. Using real-world operational data from 3,777 battery electric vehicles over an 11-month period in Shanghai, combined with local power plant data, we estimated total BEV-related carbon emissions and evaluated potential reductions achievable through optimized charging schedules.

Zhibin Chen is an assistant professor at New York University Shanghai and a global network assistant professor at New York University. Before this appointment, he was a research fellow at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Chen received his doctorate in transportation engineering from the University of Florida in 2017. His research focuses on electric vehicle behavior, policy and charging infrastructure, as well as the design of innovative and sustainable transportation systems.