Chen, Xiaowei (Purdue), Ukkusuri, Satish (Purdue University)

Optimal Deployment and Operation of Mobile Charging Stations for Multi-Family Dwelling EV Charging

Scheduled for presentation during the Video Session "On-Demand Video Presentations" (VP-VP), Saturday, November 22, 2025, 08:00−18:00, On-Demand Platform

2025 IEEE 28th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC), November 18-21, 2025, Gold Coast, Australia

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on April 2, 2026

Abstract

This study addresses the deployment and operational optimization of mobile charging stations (MCSs) to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging in underserved multi-family dwelling (MFD) areas. As EV adoption continues to rise, MFD residents face persistent challenges in accessing convenient and reliable charging infrastructure. To bridge this gap, we propose a comprehensive Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) framework that optimizes MCS fleet operations, including strategic hub selection, fleet sizing, routing, and scheduling. The model seeks to maximize net service benefits by minimizing depot activation and operational costs while ensuring that charging demand is fully satisfied. It incorporates key constraints such as MCS battery dynamics, routing feasibility, energy constraints, and service time windows. A case study in Indianapolis, Indiana, demonstrates the framework’s effectiveness in serving high-demand MFD clusters via optimized multi-stop routes originating from a single activated depot, thereby significantly reducing system-wide costs. Compared to a baseline approach involving uncoordinated depot and vehicle assignments, the proposed method achieves as much as 45.1% cost savings while maintaining complete service coverage with fewer vehicles. These results underscore the potential of MCS-based solutions to enhance charging accessibility in infrastructure-constrained urban environments. The proposed framework provides a practical planning tool for municipalities seeking to accelerate EV adoption through flexible, cost-effective, and equitable charging strategies.