Decision-Aid Tools and Fast Charging Strategies for EV-Based Evacuations

#EV #Charging #Evacuation

Decision-Aid Tools and Fast Charging Strategies for EV-Based Evacuations
Abstract: California is rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its efforts to
decarbonize the transportation sector. However, the state is highly vulnerable to extreme
weather events, including wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. Between 2017 and 2019, more
than one million residents were ordered to evacuate due to wildfires alone. Such large-scale
emergencies can disrupt the power grid, causing blackouts that limit EV charging
availability. In the worst-case scenario, insufficient charging infrastructure and limited
access to power could hinder the safe evacuation of EV users, particularly in situations
requiring rapid departure. This highlights the urgent need for robust planning strategies to
integrate EVs into emergency response frameworks.
This talk will first introduce decision-aid tools designed to assist communities and
government officials in planning EV-based evacuations. Our tool provides recommendations
for mobile charging placement, congestion-aware routing, and recharging strategies aimed
at minimizing evacuation time. The second part of the presentation will focus on fast EV
charging strategies during emergencies. These strategies are designed to reduce charging
time while ensuring electro-chemical and thermal safety of battery-based EVs.
Biography: Ricardo de Castro received his Licenciatura and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical
and Computer Engineering from the University of Porto, Portugal, in 2006 and 2013,
respectively. From 2007 to 2008, he was the co-founder of the startup WeMoveU, focusing
on developing powertrain control solutions for lightweight electric vehicles. From 2013 to
2020, he was with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of System Dynamics and
Control (SR), where he worked on enabling technologies for electric mobility and automated
driving. In 2021, he joined the University of California, Merced, as an Assistant Professor in
the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
His current research focuses on controls and optimization for zero-
emission and robotic vehicles. Ricardo holds four patents and has
authored over 100 papers in international journals, conferences, and
book chapters. He is a recipient of three best paper awards from IEEE
and ASME, as well as the Hellman Fellowship Award, which recognizes
outstanding early-career faculty within the University of California
system.
Ricardo serves as an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on
Vehicular Technology and IEEE Access. He is also the Vice President
for Motor Vehicles at the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society, the
founding Chair of the IEEE Automated Vehicles Standards Committee (AVSC), and the
General Chair of the 2022 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference (VPPC).

• Date: 19 May 2025
• Time: 06:30 PM UTC to 08:00 PM UTC
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• Sunnyvale, California
• United States 95089

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• Starts 03 May 2025 07:00 AM UTC
• Ends 18 May 2025 07:00 PM UTC
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Decision-Aid Tools and Fast Charging Strategies for EV-Based
Evacuations
Abstract: California is rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its efforts to
decarbonize the transportation sector. However, the state is highly vulnerable to extreme
weather events, including wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. Between 2017 and 2019, more
than one million residents were ordered to evacuate due to wildfires alone. Such large-scale
emergencies can disrupt the power grid, causing blackouts that limit EV charging
availability. In the worst-case scenario, insufficient charging infrastructure and limited
access to power could hinder the safe evacuation of EV users, particularly in situations
requiring rapid departure. This highlights the urgent need for robust planning strategies to
integrate EVs into emergency response frameworks.
This talk will first introduce decision-aid tools designed to assist communities and
government officials in planning EV-based evacuations. Our tool provides recommendations
for mobile charging placement, congestion-aware routing, and recharging strategies aimed
at minimizing evacuation time. The second part of the presentation will focus on fast EV
charging strategies during emergencies. These strategies are designed to reduce charging
time while ensuring electro-chemical and thermal safety of battery-based EVs.
Biography: Ricardo de Castro received his Licenciatura and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical
and Computer Engineering from the University of Porto, Portugal, in 2006 and 2013,
respectively. From 2007 to 2008, he was the co-founder of the startup WeMoveU, focusing
on developing powertrain control solutions for lightweight electric vehicles. From 2013 to
2020, he was with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of System Dynamics and
Control (SR), where he worked on enabling technologies for electric mobility and automated
driving. In 2021, he joined the University of California, Merced, as an Assistant Professor in
the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
His current research focuses on controls and optimization for zero-
emission and robotic vehicles. Ricardo holds four patents and has
authored over 100 papers in international journals, conferences, and
book chapters. He is a recipient of three best paper awards from IEEE
and ASME, as well as the Hellman Fellowship Award, which recognizes
outstanding early-career faculty within the University of California
system.
Ricardo serves as an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on
Vehicular Technology and IEEE Access. He is also the Vice President
for Motor Vehicles at the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society, the
founding Chair of the IEEE Automated Vehicles Standards Committee (AVSC), and the
General Chair of the 2022 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference (VPPC).