Exploring Motivations for Electrification of Ride-Sourcing Services: A Tripartite Evolutionary Game Perspective

Abstract

With the advancement in battery technology, electric vehicles have emerged as a feasible alternative for ride-sourcing. In various cities worldwide, policies promoting ride-sourcing electrification have been implemented. Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain, particularly with respect to the cooperative mechanism among various stakeholders. To address this issue, this study examines the motivations for ride-sourcing electrification through a tripartite evolutionary game framework, consisting of the government, ride-sourcing platforms, and ride-sourcing drivers. The basic model is constructed by considering factors such as social benefits, environmental benefits, subsidies, penalties, drivers’ commission rates, and transaction revenues. On the basis of this, the evolutionary stable strategies of each stakeholder and the system are analyzed. Further, a numerical study is conducted. The results indicate that the strategy of each stakeholder is influenced by the strategies of the others. Additionally, to promote the electrification of ride-sourcing more effectively, the government should consider both social and environmental benefits, as well as the balance between subsidies and penalties. For ride-sourcing platforms, attention should focus on the additional benefits resulting from electrification externalities. With respect to ride-sourcing drivers, their strategies are jointly influenced by factors such as revenues and commission rates. Based on these findings, this study offers valuable policy implications for both policymakers and platforms.