ELECTRIC VEHICLE CARSHARING IN A SENIOR ADULT COMMUNITY IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

摘要

By the year 2030, the number of people over the age of 65 in the United States is expected toreach 57 million. The Baby Boomer population tends to drive more kilometers annually thanprevious generations, have wider interests, and will likely be active and healthy well pastretirement. This paper examines an electric vehicle (EV) carsharing (short-term vehicle access)service as an alternative to private vehicle ownership for older adults living in a gatedcommunity. Research was conducted between Winter 2009 and Spring 2011. The studyconsisted of in-depth interviews (n=7), four focus groups (n=31), and survey data collection(n=443) with residents of the Rossmoor Senior Adult Community in Walnut Creek, California.Study results indicate that 30% of all survey respondents at Rossmoor are interested inparticipating in an EV carsharing program in their gated community, while 36% are maybeinterested. Eighty-three percent of community-wide survey respondents drive short distancesoften (i.e., eight kilometers (km) five times a month); 100% of interview respondents plan theirtrips in advance; and 77% of focus group participants made changes to their driving behaviorbecause of high fuel prices.