The diffusion of electric vehicles is fundamental for transport sector decarbonization. A major concern about electric vehicles is compatibility with power grids. Adopting a whole-power-system approach, this work presents a comprehensive analysis of impacts and benefits of electric vehicles diffusion on a national power system, i.e., Italy.

Demand and flexibility profiles are estimated with a detailed review of the literature on topic, to return reliable charging profiles and the resulting flexibility, compatible with the Italian regulatory framework. Distribution network planning and power system dispatching are handled with dedicated models, while uncertainty associated to EV charging behavior is managed with a Monte Carlo approach.

The novelty of the study is considering a nationwide context, considering both transmission and distribution systems, and proposing a set of policies suitable for enabling flexibility provision. Results show that spread of EVs will have localized impacts on power and voltage limits on the distribution network, while consequences on transmission grids and dispatching would be negligible, in terms of power and energy demand.

In 2030 scenarios, smart charging reduces grid elements violations (−23 to −100%), dispatching costs (−43%) and RES curtailment (−50%).