Increasing costs of petroleum derivatives, limitations on pollutant emissions and development of photovoltaic (PV) and electrical storage systems make it possible to spread the use of electrically powered vehicles. In this work, a 3E (energy, economic and environmental) feasibility study was carried out regarding a nocturnal electric vehicle (EV) charging in a residential user. In particular, three different EV charging scenarios were considered: use of the grid; use of a grid-connected PV system with a storage battery; use of a grid-connected PV system with a storage battery in the presence also of a residential user. Two sub scenarios were examined that foresee the purchase of the EV as an alternative to a vehicle powered, respectively, by petrol and diesel. By considering different daily average distances travelled, a parametric study was developed in order to assess the influence of the size of the PV and storage system on the load satisfaction and solar energy utilization, economic convenience and emission savings. In general, it is not possible to simultaneously comply with all the 3E objectives and constraints. However, it is possible to select optimal EV-PV-battery combinations from a unique point of view or those that lead to a trade-off. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.