Spatial Inequality in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure*
Purpose: The growing development of electromobility has increased the importance of charging infrastructure as a key component of low-emission urban transport systems. However, the number of charging stations alone does not provide a sufficient measure of infrastructure accessibility, as their spatial distribution and the number of charging points available at each station also determine network coverage. This study aims to assess the spatial unevenness of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and propose a procedure for identifying its spatial concentration and shortage areas, using Warsaw, Poland, as a case study. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis draws on data concerning electric vehicle charging stations and charging points, combined with Warsaw's administrative boundaries. Following data processing and spatial filtering, the final dataset comprised 909 charging points distributed across 501 stations. The analytical procedure involved point mapping, two-dimensional kernel density estimation, spatial analysis using regular square and hexagonal grids at a resolution of 1 km, identification of infrastructure shortage areas, and calculation of a synthetic spatial concentration index. This integrated approach enabled the assessment of local density patterns, spatial gaps and the concentration of charging infrastructure across the city. Findings: The results indicate that, although Warsaw has a relatively extensive charging network in numerical terms, its spatial distribution is markedly uneven. Charging-point density is highest in the central and central-western parts of the city, whereas peripheral areas are comparatively poorly served. The concentration index reaches 75.69%, indicating that the 10% most saturated hexagonal grid cells contain more than three-quarters of all charging points. Furthermore, the network is characterised by a predominantly small-scale facility structure, with most stations comprising only one or two charging points. Practical implications: The proposed procedure can support urban transport and infrastructure planning by identifying areas of high charging-point concentration, locations with insufficient provision and parts of the city where infrastructure expansion may be required. Combining point mapping, density estimation, grid-based analysis and a concentration index provides a transparent and replicable framework for assessing the spatial unevenness of urban electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Originality/value: The study contributes a spatially integrated procedure for evaluating urban charging infrastructure that goes beyond station counts by accounting for the distribution of individual charging points. Its application to Warsaw demonstrates how complementary spatial analytical techniques can reveal local concentration patterns and infrastructure gaps, thereby providing an evidence-based foundation for planning more spatially balanced charging networks.