Electric Vehicle Transportation Center

• User acceptance of Conditionally Automated Vehicles (CondAVs) conditional automated driving among more than 9,000 car drivers is studied among more than 9,000 car drivers. • 40% of respondents did not intend to buy CAV. a conditionally automated vehicle. • 71% of respondents prefered to stay engaged in the driving task. • Social influence was the strongest predictor of driver’s behavioral intentions to use CondAVs conditional automated driving. • Effect of trust on behavioral intention to use CondAVs conditional automated driving was small. This study applies an extended version of one of the most popular technology acceptance models, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), to predict user acceptance of SAE Level 3 conditional automated driving among more than 9,000 car drivers from nine European and non-European countries. We extend the model by two factors, trust and teaming, that we consider pivotal for user acceptance of conditional automated driving. We also investigate the factors impacting the determinants of acceptance and use of conditional automated driving, addressing a well-known gap in research. In this study we find that 40% of respondents did not intend to buy, and 39% of respondents did not express the intention to use conditional automated driving when available. 71% of respondents indicated a preference to stay engaged in the driving task to respond to requests from the car to resume manual control. The structural equation modeling analysis revealed that performance expectancy is the strongest predictor of driver’s behavioral intentions to use conditional automated driving, followed by trust and social influence. Contrary to common beliefs positioning trust as one of the most influential drivers of user acceptance of automated vehicles, the influence of trust on behavioral intention to use conditional automated driving is small. The availability of facilitating conditions supporting the use conditional automated driving (e.g., knowledge, getting help from friends, family, or car dealers) has a small influence on user acceptance. We also found significant effects of the factors impacting the determinants of acceptance and use. The effect of performance expectancy on hedonic motivation is positive, suggesting that the perceived usefulness positively enhances the perceived enjoyment. Similarily, the effect of social influence on performance expectancy and trust is positive, suggesting the social network of the individual plays an important role in promoting positive beliefs about the effectiveness of the technology and trust in the technology. Access to participation in the questionnaire was limited to respondents with access to internet, which is why future research should be performed with respondents without internet accessibility to examine differences in attitudes and acceptance between these internet-affine and less internet-affine groups.

Crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaics dominate the solar industry, yet further advancements hinge on passivating and carrier-selective contacts to overcome efficiency limitations. This review explores the pivotal role of atomic layer deposition (ALD) in enabling metal oxide films for high-performance c-Si solar cells, bridging material innovation with industrial scalability. Historically, ALD-grown Al2O3 enabled the effective passivation of p-type Si surfaces via its high negative fixed charge, which made localized rear contacts viable and facilitated the transition from aluminum back surface field to passivated emitter rear contact architectures, ultimately lowering J0 and boosting efficiency. However, emerging carrier-selective contacts demand materials that simultaneously minimize recombination and resistive losses while avoiding parasitic absorption. Metal oxides, leveraging tunable optoelectronic properties and ALD's atomic-scale precision, offer a promising alternative to conventional silicon-based films (e.g., a-Si:H and poly-Si). We analyzed 373 studies to map trends in ALD metal oxide applications, highlighting the dominance of Al2O3 and TiO2, alongside growing interest in multi-metal oxides. The review underscores ALD's unique ability to tailor chemical and field-effect passivation mechanisms while addressing challenges in stoichiometric control and interfacial engineering. Targeting both ALD specialists and PV engineers, we propose standardized metrics for evaluating passivating contacts, aiming to accelerate cross-disciplinary innovation. Finally, we outline future opportunities for ALD-derived metal oxide in next-generation photovoltaics, including tandem and thin-film technologies, advocating for systematic research to unlock their full potential.

Switching to electric vehicles will help decarbonize personal transportation, but there may be resistance to electrifying all the vehicles in a household. Vehicle ownership is high in the United States, with over half of households owning two or more vehicles. Electric vehicles are a new technology and there is still much unknown about initial adoption, let alone behavior around subsequent purchases. Early research indicates there are obstacles to owning several electric vehicles at the same time. This work is among the first to study this topic, identifying factors that explain the decision to own multiple electric vehicles. Using a series of cross-sectional questionnaire surveys, we identify households that acquired two or more electric vehicles concurrently (25 %) and others that chose to only acquire one (75 %). Electric vehicles comprise vehicles that fully or partially utilize electricity as fuel and can plug-in to charge. Responses are from 4400 California households between 2015 and 2020 who acquired two or more new vehicles, including at least one electric vehicle. We use logistic regression to determine the most influential behaviors, characteristics, and vehicle choices that differentiate these households. Results indicate that there is lower ownership of multiple electric vehicles in households with fewer vehicles or households that own vehicles of certain larger body styles. On the other hand, several other factors correlate with higher adoption including previously owning electric vehicles, access to moderately fast electric vehicle charging at home, household solar, and using an electric vehicle to commute. • Nearly 60 % of households have 2+ vehicles; single EV adoption alone is not enough. • When EV households buy several new vehicles, 25 % buy multiple electric vehicles. • Households are less likely to buy multiple EVs if they own fewer vehicles or trucks. • Previously owning an EV correlates with higher likelihood of buying multiple EVs. • Home charging, home solar, and commuting with an EV are also positively correlated.

As distributed energy resources grow, power systems face increased complexity and vulnerability to disruptions such as natural disasters and cyber threats. Traditional centralized energy markets struggle to ensure resilience during such events, highlighting the need for decentralized solutions. Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy markets offer a promising approach by enabling local energy transactions, reducing reliance on centralized operators, and enhancing grid resilience. This paper examines P2P energy exchanges in active distribution networks using a double auction mechanism to improve reliability during outages. We propose a pricing framework integrating two mechanisms: distribution locational marginal price (DLMP) and an average price mechanism. DLMP reflects real-time network conditions and sets an upper bound for P2P bids, ensuring price alignment with grid constraints. Meanwhile, prosumers and consumers settle transactions based on average price mechanism, enabling efficient and fair market clearing. Simulation results demonstrate that during emergency operations, rising DLMP prices lead to higher transaction prices, benefiting prosumers with increased market returns while ensuring uninterrupted electricity for consumers. These findings highlight the potential of P2P energy exchanges as a resilience-enhancing way, promoting decentralized energy autonomy and strengthening power systems against disruptions.

Abstract To achieve the objectives of COP28 for transitioning away from fossil fuels and phasing these out, both natural and technological solutions are essential, necessitating a step-change in how we implement social innovation. Given the significant CO2 emissions produced by the building sector, there is an urgent need for a transformative shift towards a net-zero building stock by mid-century. This transition to zero-energy and zero-emission buildings is difficult due to complex processes and substantial costs. Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) offers a promising solution due to the benefits of enhanced energy efficiency and electricity production. The availability of roof and façade space in offices and other types of buildings, especially in large cities, permits photovoltaic integration in both opaque and transparent surfaces. This study investigates the synergistic relationship between solar conversion technologies and nature-based components. Through a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed literature and critical assessment, effective BIPVs with greenery (BIPVGREEN) combinations suitable for various climatic zones are identified. The results highlight the multi-faceted benefits of this integration across a range of techno-economic and social criteria and underscore the feasibility of up-scaling these solutions for broader deployment. Applying a SWOT analysis approach, the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats for BIPVGREEN deployment, are investigated. The analysis reveals key drivers of synergistic effects and multi-benefits, while also addressing the challenges associated with optimizing performance and reducing investment costs. The strengths of BIPVGREEN in terms of energy efficiency and sustainable decarbonization, along with its potential to mitigate urban and climate temperature increases, enhance its relevance to the built environment, especially for informal settlements. The significance of prioritizing this BIPVGREEN climate mitigation action in low-income vulnerable regions and informal settlements is crucial through the minimum tax financing worldwide and citizen’s engagement in architectural BIPVGREEN co-integration.

Summary The inclusion of thoracolumbar radiographs in a pre‐purchase examination (PPE) is a topic of current and intense debate, subsequent to a statement from the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (FEEVA) advocating the exclusion of spinous process radiography from the PPE. This review will consider the reasons behind the addition of such radiographs into PPEs, the limitations of radiography in ambulatory practice and therefore, the diagnostic limitations to the practitioner, the diagnostic benefit of a complete radiographic examination, and discussion of common and less‐frequent thoracolumbar pathologies. We will focus on laterolateral radiographs of the spinous processes as these are most commonly acquired during the PPE. The lack of consistent and repeatable grading systems highlights the subjective nature and variability in assessing this region radiographically. Coupled with the sparse scientific evidence of correlation between clinical signs of primary back pain, future performance in different levels and disciplines of equine athletes and radiographic abnormalities of the thoracolumbar spine leads us to conclude that taking radiographs of the back during PPEs should not be performed unless the clinical examination indicates otherwise.

SummaryCervical radiographs are more frequently being acquired or requested as part of a pre‐purchase examination (PPE). Evaluating radiographs allows for detection of diseases which may prejudice the horse's suitability for its intended purpose. A thorough clinical examination is the most important element of a PPE and limits the list of possible radiographic findings to those that can be subclinical. Radiographic findings such as morphological variations of the vertebrae, osteoarthritis and osteochondral fragmentation are often present in asymptomatic horses. Furthermore, current evidence suggests that most findings present on cervical radiographs acquired at PPE are of unknown or low significance in a clinically normal horse. There is also minimal evidence of the progression of subclinical cervical radiographic abnormalities and their future impact on performance. Due to the high level of superimposition that is inherent to cervical radiographs, the reliability of interpretation of these findings is often variable. Additionally, PPE radiographs are often acquired in the ambulatory setting and the limitations of the equipment and environment can compromise their diagnostic value. Therefore, at this time, there is little evidence to support the acquisition of cervical radiographs as part of a PPE.