Grassroots Sustainability: USU Undergrad Researcher Explores Gig Drivers' Use of Electric Vehicles

This ain’t your grandparents’ way of living. Evolving local and worldwide economies, rocked by the global pandemic, spawned a paradigm shift in how people think about making a living and creating a home life, along with spending their time and resources. The thirst for convenience and desire to jettison the complications of commuting, parking, shopping and child care — that is, leaving the house — have fueled the rise of gig drivers.

Rideshare, meal and grocery delivery drivers are among a growing labor sector comprised of individuals who strategize maximizing earnings while supplying their own vehicles, fuel, maintenance and insurance to ply their trade.

Utah State University undergraduate researcher Will Bouck is exploring the decision-making behavior of gig drivers and, specifically, how they make decisions about whether or not to use electric vehicles. He’s among about 30 USU scholars who’ll present research posters to state legislators in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 20, as part of 2025 Undergraduate Research Day on Utah’s Capitol Hill. The annual event, initiated in 2000, brings scholars from Utah State and the University of Utah to the hub of legislative activity to highlight the importance of university research to the welfare of local communities and in preparing Utah scholars to tackle future challenges.

Bouck, a statistics major who is minoring in data science and data analytics, is conducting data analysis in the lab of faculty mentor Patrick Singleton, associate professor in transportation in USU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the USU-based ASPIRE Research Center, Singleton is exploring EV adoption and use in urban and rural communities of the American West.

“At first glance, an electric vehicle might seem an earnings-maximizing choice for the typical gig driver,” says Bouck, a USU Honors Program scholar and ambassador. “But we discovered several obstacles that make EV adoption challenging.”

First is the upfront investment.

“Most gig drivers are not high earners, and lack the funds and ability to secure financing to purchase an electric vehicle,” he says.

And even if they could, drivers face infrastructure challenges that could scuttle the transition from fossil fuel to electrical power.

“We analyzed data on driver behavior from metropolitan areas in Utah, Arizona, Oregon and Nevada,” he says. “A recurring problem was access to charging stations.”

And not just access to charging, but access to fast charging.

“The adage ‘time is money’ is especially applicable to gig drivers,” Bouck says. “They have to make the most of peak driving times, delivery requests and locations to maximize their earnings. Waiting around for their vehicle is not an option.”

Again, lack of access to investment capital can stymie an EV startup.

“A logical approach to lack of charging access might be to set up your own charging station at home,” Bouck says. “But if you don’t own your own home and you live in a property without a garage or carport, you might not have a place to build one — even if you could afford it.”

Bouck, who learned of research opportunities offered by Singleton on Aggie Handshake, says being involved in a research project has been an enlightening endeavor and he’s grateful for the opportunity.

“I’d never participated in anything like this and I had no idea how much work and planning went into research projects,” says the Boston area native. “In this project, where we analyzed data from actual people who shared their experiences, I learned how challenging it is to collect an adequate sample size and accurately analyze the findings. Each step of data analysis is important.”

Bouck, who entered Utah State on a presidential scholarship in fall 2023, says he chose USU for its emphasis on undergraduate research and its affordability.

“I also have family in the area and the mountains are beautiful,” he says.

Outside of the lab and classroom, Bouck sings in the American Festival Chorus and the Cache Valley Interfaith Choir.

“I enjoy acting, too, but, for now, my focus is academics, research and preparing for a career in statistics and data science,” he says.