A Three-layer Optimal Distribution Problem for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The chapter delves into the critical issue of optimizing the distribution and development of electric vehicle charging stations (CSs). It begins by highlighting the growing potential of electric vehicles (EVs) and the urgent need for effective land use planning (LUP) for CSs. The authors review various models and methods proposed by other researchers, such as mixed-integer linear programming, hybrid optimization algorithms, and genetic algorithms. However, these methods often fall short in addressing the diversity of countries and long-term factors. The chapter introduces a novel three-layer approach that includes determining the optimal number of chargers in each CS using Queuing Theory, optimizing the allocation of CSs using Floyd Algorithm, and planning the growth of CSs using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This comprehensive method considers the unique characteristics of different countries, such as geography, population density, and wealth distribution. The chapter concludes with a case study in China and South Korea, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed models. It also provides recommendations for future research, emphasizing the importance of considering weather conditions and battery swapping in CS development.