Barriers to blockchain adoption in the public electrical vehicle charging market

Abstract: The adoption of blockchain in the public electrical vehicle charging market has yet to be realized to its full potential, despite existing proof-of-concept. A positive outlook for blockchain is suggested by contemporary research, as well as the need for empirical studies to fully identify blockchain’s barriers to adoption. Through qualitative methods, a focused literature review, and in-depth interviews with subject matter experts, this thesis investigated which barriers to blockchain adoption exist in the public electrical vehicle charging market. The results indicated that the main barrier to blockchain adoption was the structure of the public electrical vehicle charging market itself, since it is an immature market experiencing constant change. This was followed by: coordination, norms and cultures, business process, incumbent technological solutions, regulations and legislations, shared infrastructure, and distributed ledger technology. These barriers were not shown individually, but were affected by each other. It is concluded that blockchain technology is not needed by the market in its current state, as its key defining attributes of privacy, security and decentralization are not deemed worth the cost of its own implementation. This research contributes to, and updates, the knowledge of blockchain utilization for the public electrical vehicle charging market. The results can be used by private and public organizations and scholars as reference material with regards to blockchain adoption for public electrical vehicle charging.