MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals

26 pages, 1579 KB

Open AccessArticle

Forecasting Infrastructure Needs, Environmental Impacts, and Dynamic Pricing for Electric Vehicle Charging

by Osama Jabr, Ferheen Ayaz, Maziar Nekovee and Nagham Saeed

World Electr. Veh. J. 2025, 16(8), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj16080410 - 22 Jul 2025

Viewed by 524

In recent years, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have increased at the fastest rates ever recorded. This is a trend that contradicts global efforts to stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations and prevent long-term climate change. Over 90% of global transport relies on oil-based fuels. The continued use of diesel and petrol raises concerns related to oil costs, supply security, GHG emissions, and the release of air pollutants and volatile organic compounds. This study explored electric vehicle (EV) charging networks by assessing environmental impacts through GHG and petroleum savings, developing dynamic pricing strategies, and forecasting infrastructure needs. A substantial dataset of over 259,000 EV charging records from Palo Alto, California, was statistically analysed. Machine learning models were applied to generate insights that support sustainable and economically viable electric transport planning for policymakers, urban planners, and other stakeholders. Findings indicate that GHG and gasoline savings are directly proportional to energy consumed, with conversion rates of 0.42 kg CO₂ and 0.125 gallons per kilowatt-hour (kWh), respectively. Additionally, dynamic pricing strategies such as a 20% discount on underutilised days and a 15% surcharge during peak hours are proposed to optimise charging behaviour and improve station efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Beyond Electric Cars: Comprehensive Charging Solutions and Innovations in Land, Sea, and Air Mobility)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 8352 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bagging a Greener Future: Social Norms Appeals and Financial Incentives in Promoting Reusable Bags Among Grocery Shoppers

by Rain Wuyu Liu, Taylor Ann Foerster and Jie Zhuang

Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4157; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094157 - 4 May 2025

Viewed by 913

Abstract

This research examined the persuasive impact of social norms and financial incentive messaging for encouraging reusable bag use. In an online experiment with a nationally representative sample from the U.S. (n = 753), participants were randomly exposed to static or dynamic descriptive/injunctive norms, discounts/surcharges, combinations, or a control message. Intentions to bring reusable bags when grocery shopping, along with other key demographic and psychological variables, were assessed. ANCOVA results demonstrate the main effects of the messages. Planned contrasts revealed that injunctive norms elicited higher intentions than descriptive norms. Dynamic descriptive norms led to stronger intentions compared to static descriptive norms, with no difference shown between the two injunctive norm conditions. Notably, combining injunctive norms with either incentive boosted intentions beyond standalone messaging, supporting motivational complementarity. Norms overall outperformed incentives, but integrating social and economic appeals shows promise. The predicted superiority of experimental messages in promoting intentions, when compared to a generic pro-environmental appeal (control), was not supported. The findings advance an integrated behavior change approach highlighting normative information and incentives, shedding light on optimal messaging strategies amid pro-environmental interventions. Full article

16 pages, 510 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multiple Bonus–Malus Scale Models for Insureds of Different Sizes

by Jean-Philippe Boucher

Risks 2022, 10(8), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/risks10080152 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2442

Abstract

How to consider the a priori risks in experience-rating models has been questioned in the actuarial community for a long time. Classic past-claim-rating models, such as the Buhlmann–Straub credibility model, normalize the past experience of each insured before applying claim penalties. On the other hand, classic Bonus–Malus Scales (BMS) models generate the same surcharges and the same discounts for all insureds because the transition rules within the class system do not depend on the a priori risk. Despite the quality of prediction of the BMS models, this experience-rating model could appear unfair to many insureds and regulators because it does not recognize the initial risk of the insured. In this paper, we propose the creation of different BMSs for each type of insured using recursive partitioning methods. We apply this approach to real data for the farm insurance product of a major Canadian insurance company with widely varying sizes of insureds. Because the a priori risk can change over time, a study of the possible transitions between different BMS models is also performed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Data Science in Insurance)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 785 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Service Firm’s Environmentally Friendly Reputation in the Context of Revenue Management

by Choongbeom Choi and Miyoung Jeong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(17), 6264; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176264 - 28 Aug 2020

Viewed by 2389

Abstract

In revenue management practice, customers’ perceived fairness is a critical issue. Prior research examined the effect of revenue management on customers’ perceptions of fairness by implementing two different conditions: fencing and framing. In this study, the authors evaluated the role of a service firm’s environmentally friendly reputation under the conditions of fencing and framing. Results indicated that an environmentally friendly reputation only moderated the effect of framing on perceived fairness. In particular, when the firm had a poor reputation, framing as a discount rather than framing as a surcharge increased customers’ fairness perceptions. When the firm had a good reputation, however, customers’ perception of fairness did not differ across two framing conditions. The findings of this study help firms to understand how customers perceive fairness in revenue management practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers: Health Economics)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Search Results (4)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI

Saved Queries

Search Filter Reset All

Years

Feature Papers

Subjects

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (4)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI