Ideal Spot for Photovoltaic Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (PEVCS) in Malaysia: An Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia is progressing rapidly, and the development of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) is following suit. Despite this growth, the integration of solar power into these stations remains limited. To address this, it is essential to consider various criteria and parameters when selecting ideal locations for photovoltaic electric vehicle charging stations (PEVCSs) in Malaysia. This study aims to identify suitable locations for PEVCSs using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The AHP method evaluates the weightage of criteria based on the judgments of seven experts from diverse fields, ensuring a multidisciplinary perspective. Six main criteria and twelve sub-criteria are assessed, drawing from comprehensive literature, needs analysis, and instrument validation. The results demonstrate that the consistency ratio (CR) for all pairwise comparisons is below 0.1, reflecting high reliability and consistency. 'Economy' emerged as the most influential and critical criterion, with a weight of 0.226210. Following closely is 'Proximity' with a weight of 0.208390 and 'Technology' with a weight of 0.205632. Finally, the findings are expected to offer valuable insights for policy makers and industry stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making in the planning and development of sustainable charging infrastructure in Malaysia.