Supporting the transition towards e-mobility: An investigation into the role of public charge stations

The increasing number of vehicles has generated pressures on transport systems, exacerbated by problems such as climate change, resource scarcity, and overcrowding in cities, leading to worse air quality. Smart mobility is emerging as an effective solution to these challenges, also in Italy, where it is growing as a sustainable option for road transport. This increase is related to the development of fast charging points and tax incentives, making electric cars more affordable. To explore the current situation of charging infrastructures and how they are helping to shape the adoption and spread of electric cars in Italy, it is important to understand people’s views on public infrastructure for electric car charging. Therefore, this study aims to examine the different opinions (positive, negative, or neutral) of Italian users of public infrastructure for electric car charging based on the reviews published on mobile apps. To achieve this goal, this study examines the opinions of electric car users in Italy through sentiment analysis of users’ reviews published on dedicated apps, highlighting a prevalence of negative opinions. Furthermore, these results suggest opportunities for improvement to optimize the consumer experience and promote a more positive perception of electric cars and related services.