Predicting future demand for “green” cars
© 2011 ZOE Preview - Voiture électrique - Renault Z.E.
The development of new propulsion technologies has been a major focus of the car industry recently. In particular, many car manufacturers are planning to release electric vehicles on the market in the near future.
In this context, the Transport and Mobility Laboratory (TRANSP-OR) directed by Prof. Michel Bierlaire has conducted a joint project with Renault Suisse S.A. to model and forecast the future demand for such vehicles. This research project was initiated by EPFL’s Transportation Center (TraCE) under the executive direction of Dr Michaël Thémans. Using mathematical models of behavior based on the theory of random utility and latent variables, Aurélie Glerum, a PhD student at TRANSP-OR, identified the factors affecting individuals’ car purchase choices and the socio-economic determinants defining the target customer’s profile. Interestingly, she showed that more qualitative aspects played a significant role in the decision-making process, such as the perception of a car’s design.