# Data-Driven Optimization of EV Charging Station Placement Using Causal Discovery

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.17055 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.17055/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 8 of its 24 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 21 Mar 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 8 of 8)

- [DAGs with NO TEARS: Continuous Optimization for Structure Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1803.01422/) (2018)
- [Beware of the Simulated DAG! Causal Discovery Benchmarks May Be Easy To Game](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.13647/) (2021)
- [DAGMA: Learning DAGs via M-matrices and a Log-Determinant Acyclicity Characterization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.08037/) (2022)
- [Spatial-Temporal Large Language Model for Traffic Prediction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.10134/) (2024)
- [MM-DAG: Multi-task DAG Learning for Multi-modal Data -- with Application for Traffic Congestion Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.02831/) (2023)
- [Dynamic Causal Graph Convolutional Network for Traffic Prediction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.07019/) (2023)
- [MultiFun-DAG: Multivariate Functional Directed Acyclic Graph](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.13836/) (2024)
- [Deep Causal Learning to Explain and Quantify The Geo-Tension's Impact on Natural Gas Market](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.10878/) (2024)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Electric Vehicle Charging Station Location Selection using Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI)](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.30417/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This paper addresses the critical challenge of optimizing electric vehicle charging station placement through a novel data-driven methodology employing causal discovery techniques. While traditional approaches prioritize economic factors or power grid constraints, they often neglect empirical charging patterns that ultimately determine station utilization. We analyze extensive charging data from Palo Alto and Boulder (337,344 events across 100 stations) to uncover latent relationships between station characteristics and utilization. Applying structural learning algorithms (NOTEARS and DAGMA) to this data reveals that charging demand is primarily determined by three factors: proximity to amenities, EV registration density, and adjacency to high-traffic routes. These findings, consistent across multiple algorithms and urban contexts, challenge conventional infrastructure distribution strategies. We develop an optimization framework that translates these insights into actionable placement recommendations, identifying locations likely to experience high utilization based on the discovered dependency structures. The resulting site selection model prioritizes strategic clustering in high-amenity areas with substantial EV populations rather than uniform spatial distribution. Our approach contributes a framework that integrates empirical charging behavior into infrastructure planning, potentially enhancing both station utilization and user convenience. By focusing on data-driven insights instead of theoretical distribution models, we provide a more effective strategy for expanding charging networks that can adjust to various stages of EV market development.