The gig economy, already turbocharged by the recent pandemic, maybe on the cusp of an electric revolution, that is if infrastructure and financing obstacles can be tackled–a topic keenly researched by Utah State University's undergraduate Will Bouck. As an aspiring statistician eager to sift through the complications facing gig drivers pondering the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), Bouck's findings are shedding light on stark realities inherent in such a transition.
Bouck's research, which he'll present to state legislators in Salt Lake City as part of the 2025 Undergraduate Research Day, digs into the nitty-gritty of why gig drivers, despite potentially benefiting from the cost savings of EVs, are hitting roadblocks before they can even buckle up, according to Utah State University Today. The initial cost of an electric vehicle is a tall hurdle for many gig workers, many of whom lack the financial cushions or credit availability to afford such an investment; meanwhile, the availability, or rather scarcity, of charging stations compounds the challenge, especially when those chargers aren't of the fast-charging variety and time is of the essence for drivers capitalizing on peak earning opportunities.
Bouck, a statistics major armed with minors in data science and data analytics, crunched numbers and analyzed patterns from gig drivers across Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and Nevada. "Most gig drivers are not high earners, and lack the funds and ability to secure financing to purchase an electric vehicle," Bouck said, as per Utah State University Today. Even for those who might muster the resources to afford an EV, without a garage or carport at a rented residence, installing a personal charging station remains a pipedream.
Yet, this research extends beyond academic exercise, Bouck's work operates under the auspices of Patrick Singleton, an associate professor of transportation, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the ASPIRE Research Center, pointing toward a vigorous drive to understand and perhaps pave the way toward a more sustainable model for the gig economy. Bouck keenly noted the layers of complexity in research, emphasizing that "each step of data analysis is important" and that getting hands-on with data gathering and analysis has opened his eyes to the effort entailed in such projects, as obtained by Utah State University Today. Hailing from the Boston area, Bouck's foray into this area of study complements his academic and extra-curricular involvement at USU, where he also indulges in his love for music by participating in the American Festival Chorus and the Cache Valley Interfaith Choir.
In his quest to bridge the gap between academia and practical solutions for the gig economy, Bouck's work could point to policy implications that may shape the future of environmentally conscious and economically feasible transportation options for millions of gig workers. What plays out on Utah's Capitol Hill could well echo across urban and rural landscapes alike, putting the spotlight on the intricate balance between sustainable advancements and the brass tactics required to make them a reality.
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