Due to the ever-increasing harmful emissions affecting natural life and health seriously, it is inevitable the usage of renewable energy sources instead of fossil resources in the near future. Another drawback of fossil fuels is several threats like environmental pollution and global warming, which are potential risks for future generations. Given that the transportation sector makes a huge contribution to carbon emissions, the importance of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which are an eco-friendly form of vehicles is obvious. Because the BEV market has been rapidly expanding recently, it has become a significant issue to assess BEV alternatives comprehensively from the customer's point of view. This assessment can be made by addressing the basic features of each BEV. Further, multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques are efficient instruments for the right BEV purchase decision. In this work, therefore, ten BEVs are chosen as alternatives. These vehicles are then ranked using SECA, MARCOS, MAIRCA, COCOSO, ARAS, and COPRAS multi-criteria techniques on the basis of technical specifications, such as acceleration, price, battery, range, and so on. Afterward, results from various MCDM techniques are aggregated by applying the Borda count and Copeland ranking methodologies. “Price”, “permitted load,” and “energy consumption” are determined as the most three significant factors for BEV selection, respectively, whereas Tesla Model S is highlighted as the best choice. Further, the robustness and reliability of the results are performed by applying a sensitivity analysis. The proposed framework can be utilized as a basis for more detailed purchasing decisions.

A consolidated MCDM framework for performance assessment of battery electric vehicles based on ranking strategies

In this study, we conducted a stated choice survey in Shanghai to examine the attitudes of Shanghai residents towards electric vehicles and their attributes. Multinomial Logit and Random Parameter Logit models were used to analyze the response data for three samples—the full sample, a subsample of potential electric vehicle purchasers, and a subsample of unlikely electric vehicle purchasers. We found that the respondents in each of the three groups preferred electric vehicles with a longer driving range, a shorter charging time, a faster maximum speed, lower pollution emissions, lower fuel cost, and a lower price. However, a comparison of the two subsamples showed that potential electric vehicle purchasers were willing to pay more than their counterparts for enhancing vehicle attributes. We also investigated the determinants of likely electric vehicle purchase and found a number of demographic characteristics that were statistically significant.

Examining Shanghai Consumer Preferences for Electric Vehicles and Their Attributes

Consumer adoption of electric vehicles in alternative business models

As environmental and energy issues are becoming more and more serious, China has seen the birth of a number of electric vehicle start-ups (EVSUs). Although there has been a dozen or so studies about consumers’ purchase intention of battery electric vehicles, few of them were about electric vehicle start-ups. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the factors that influence consumers’ purchase intention of electric vehicles from Chinese electric vehicle start-ups (CEVSUs). This study establishes a theoretical model of the factors that influence consumers’ purchase intentions of electric vehicles from CEVSUs through brand identity, brand image, brand awareness, and perceived risk. The analysis results of 332 valid questionnaires show that the factors that affect consumers’ purchase intention of electric vehicles from CEVSUs include brand identity, brand image, and perceived risk. Brand image will be affected by brand recognition, brand awareness, and perceived risk. The perceived risk will be affected by brand awareness and brand identity. Brand awareness will be affected by brand identity, but brand awareness will not directly affect purchase decisions. The conclusions of this study can be used as a reference for the government, consumers, or practitioners in the electric vehicle industry to promote the sales of electric vehicles to achieve low-carbon transportation, and also to help Chinese start up brands to take a larger share of the domestic market.

What Increases Consumers’ Purchase Intention of Battery Electric Vehicles from Chinese Electric Vehicle Start-Ups? Taking NIO as an Example

From the perspective of crude oil price, this paper investigates the effects of new energy vehicles on air quality by applying a time-varying parameter–stochastic volatility–vector autoregression m...

How can new energy vehicles affect air quality in China?— From the perspective of crude oil price:

The rapid development of automobile industry in China did improve people’s quality of life. However, it has also damaged the ecological environment. The emission of a large amount of automobiles is one of the serious air pollution sources. In recent years, the shortage of petrochemical energy, the rapid rise of harmful particles in the air (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10), and the increasing worse atmospheric environment are becoming obstacles to China’s sustainable development. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are recognized as an ideal alternative to conventional cars. This study aims to explore the factors that can promote consumers’ adoption of BEVs and to construct domains of these factors. Firstly, an open web questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were conducted to widely collect factors that promote consumers’ purchase of BEVs. Then, questionnaire survey and exploratory factor analysis were used to construct domains of promoting consumers’ purchasing willingness. A total of six factors that promote consumers’ adoption of BEVs were obtained. Finally, the research results can provide references for the Chinese government and the BEV manufacturers in the development and promotion of EVs.

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/5/1057/pdf

Hong Zou

Papers

What Influences Chinese Consumers’ Adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles? A Preliminary Study Based on Factor Analysis