Barriers to widespread adoption of electric vehicles: An analysis of consumer attitudes and perceptions
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify potential socio-technical barriers to consumer adoption of EVs and determine if sustainability issues influence consumer decision to purchase an EV, and provide valuable insights into preferences and perceptions of technology enthusiasts; individuals highly connected to technology development and better equipped to sort out the many differences between EVs and CVs.
About: This article is published in Energy Policy.The article was published on 2012-09-01. It has received 1207 citations till now.
Citations
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TL;DR: In this article , an intuitive multi-criteria approach that optimally places EV charging stations on highways that (partially) lack such points is proposed, which is applied in an iterative fashion to dynamically evaluate the alternatives, considering a set of practical criteria related to the traffic intensity and the relative location of the charging stations with interchanges, major cities, and existing stations, thus supporting decisions in a pragmatic way.
Abstract: The electric vehicle (EV) industry has made significant progress but, in many markets, there are still barriers holding back its advancement. A key issue is the anxiety caused to the drivers by the limited range of current EV models and the inadequate access to charging stations in long-distance trips, as is the case on highways. We propose an intuitive multi-criteria approach that optimally places EV charging stations on highways that (partially) lack such points. The approach, which is applied in an iterative fashion to dynamically evaluate the alternatives, considers a set of practical criteria related to the traffic intensity and the relative location of the charging stations with interchanges, major cities, and existing stations, thus supporting decisions in a pragmatic way. The optimal locations are determined by taking into consideration constraints about the EV driving range and installation preferences to improve the operation of the highway while ensuring reasonable cost of investment. The proposed approach is showcased in the Egnatia Motorway, the longest highway in Greece that runs a total of 670 km but currently involves a single EV charging point. Our findings illustrate the utility of the proposed approach and highlight its merits as a decision-support tool.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors explore the factors that influence plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) buyers' decision to lease or purchase a PEV and find a positive association between electric range and likelihood of purchasing BEVs, but a negative association for PHEVs.
Abstract: In this paper we explore the factors that influence plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) buyers’ decision to lease or purchase a PEV. We estimate a binary logistic regression model using survey data of 9,472 PEV owners in California, surveyed between 2015 and 2018. Several factors influencing the purchase versus lease decision are identified; battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are more likely to be leased over plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Results show a positive association between electric range and likelihood of purchasing BEVs, but a negative association for PHEVs. Sociodemographic factors such as living in a single-family home, homeownership, and having at home solar panels are associated with purchasing. An increase in the stated importance of high occupancy vehicle/carpool lane access is associated with the decision to lease, but an increase in state rebate importance is associated with the decision to purchase. The results highlight different factors that influence the decision to purchase or lease a PEV, both of which will be important strategies for growing the PEV market.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , a literature survey has been developed for understanding the customer's perception towards EVs and the results of the survey are analyzed using the tools on descriptive statistics, structural equation model using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and hypothesis testing.
Abstract:
Purpose
Environmental crisis and energy security concerns forced researchers, environmentalists and industrialists to look for a cleaner mode of transportation. Rigorous efforts have been made to make electric vehicles (EVs) feasible for commercial use. However, despite of many efforts by the Government of India, the rate of adoption of EVs in India has not been up to the mark. To bridge this gap, present study understands the social acceptability and sustainability of EVs and identifies the social factors, builds inferences from the results obtained and helps in orienting the manufacturers and decision makers towards faster adoption of the EVs.
Design/methodology/approach
The social factors responsible for the growth of EVs in India are identified by literature survey. A questionnaire has been developed for understanding the customer’s perception towards EVs. The results of the survey are analysed using the tools on descriptive statistics, structural equation model using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and hypothesis testing and the results are validated.
Findings
The results of the study are based on three hypotheses. The findings show that although the financial and the infrastructure factors have positive impact on rate of adoption of EVs in India; the vehicle performance factors have a negative impact on EVs adoption, implying that the respondents of the survey who feel that the vehicle performance factors are the most imperative have a more passive mind-set towards the EVs adoption.
Research limitations/implications
The research work is based on the survey conducted on the pilot region of the national capital region of the country where the majority of the respondents of the survey are conventional fossil fuel vehicles (CFFV) owners. A more accurate analysis on the social factors affecting deployment of EVs in the Indian market can be done if the population of the survey consists of equal share of CFFV and EV owners from all across the nation.
Practical implications
This study will help researchers get a better understanding of the reasons for slow adoption rate of EVs in India. This paper sheds light upon the social factors responsible for the same. The Government of India can use the results of this study to understand the factors responsible for non-adoption and the recommendations for its further work on “Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles” India scheme.
Social implications
Results of the study identifies the factors that slow down the adoption rate of EVs in India. The paper suggested potential solutions for the same. Successful implementation in terms of policies and technological advancements can propel India to the top in EV market. Switching to EVs brings about a radical change in the social life of the people and can improve the social status and lifestyle of the people.
Originality/value
Existing research has not focussed much on the social aspects of EVs in India. The present work is solely the result of the strategic thinking, planning, work and implementation by the authors.
2 citations
01 Dec 2022
TL;DR: In this paper , a theoretical model of technology acceptance for both internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) and electric vehicle (EV) drivers was built using a mix of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Goal Framing.
Abstract: Eco-driving is one strategy for reducing transportation sector fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. With the advancement of connected-vehicle technology, the dynamic eco-driving concept can utilize real-time vehicle-specific information to optimize vehicle speed, thereby further reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The objective of this research was to determine the elements that influence drivers' intentions to practice eco-driving and their acceptance of eco-driving technology. A theoretical model of technology acceptance for both internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) and electric vehicle (EV) drivers was built using a mix of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Goal Framing. Drivers’ acceptance of eco-driving system was hypothesized to be based on their intention to perform eco-driving. The model's validity was verified using a structural equation modeling analysis of data from a survey with 340 replies from ICEV drivers and 315 responses from EV drivers. The findings corroborated the original hypotheses in TAM and TPB, and drivers' intention to practice eco-driving had an indirect effect on their intention to utilize the system via the construct of perceived ease of use. In comparison to ICEV drivers, EV drivers possessed a greater understanding of eco-driving. The four goal framing structures each played a different role in the ICEV and EV models. In the ICEV model, the altruistic goal contributed positively to the social norm construct. By contrast, the social norm was positively influenced by the biospheric and the egoistic goals, and negatively influenced by the hedonic goal in the EV model. This study's framework and results provide theoretical and practical guidelines for researchers, manufacturers, and policy-makers to understand drivers' motivation to perform eco-driving and increase drivers' acceptance of the eco-driving system.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors examined how fleet managers make vehicle purchase decisions and explored the motivations and barriers for the adoption of light duty plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in fleets.
Abstract: • Fleet purchasing differs significantly between electric and conventional vehicles. • Fleets are electrifying primarily due to external factors. • Sustainability and environmental considerations are the top reasons for electrifying. • Fleets are electrifying but continue to face many barriers. This paper uses results from interviews conducted with 23 fleet managers across California in 2019 to investigate fleet adoption of light duty Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs). The interviews examined how fleet managers make vehicle purchase decisions and explored the motivations and barriers for the adoption of PEVs. The results are framed in the context of Self-Determination Theory which categorizes the level to which actions are taken based on internal and external motivators. Results show that conventional vehicle purchases are mostly motivated by internalized extrinsic motivators while PEV purchase decisions are mostly motivated by external extrinsic motivators, such as requirements to meet sustainability goals. While most fleets had adopted at least one PEV, there are still barriers to widespread electrification, including a lack of time and resources available to evaluate PEVs, issues with employee buy-in, a lack of total cost of ownership considerations, and infrastructure challenges. The results provide a greater understanding of fleet PEV purchasing, how PEVs align with existing purchase considerations, and how stakeholders could facilitate increased electric vehicle adoption in fleets.
2 citations
References
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TL;DR: Ajzen, 1985, 1987, this article reviewed the theory of planned behavior and some unresolved issues and concluded that the theory is well supported by empirical evidence and that intention to perform behaviors of different kinds can be predicted with high accuracy from attitudes toward the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control; and these intentions, together with perceptions of behavioral control, account for considerable variance in actual behavior.
65,095 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report results of two questionnaire studies aimed at examining various motives for car use, and investigate individual differences in the relative importance of the three categories of motives were investigated.
Abstract: This paper reports results of two questionnaire studies aimed at examining various motives for car use. In the first study, a random selection of 185 respondents who possess a driving licence were interviewed. Respondents were recruited from the cities of Groningen and Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The sample of the second study comprised a random selection of 113 commuters who regularly travelled during rush hours in and around Rotterdam, a region in the west of the Netherlands. First, it was examined which categories of car use motives may be distinguished. As proposed by Dittmar’s (1992) [The social psychology of material possessions: to have is to be. Havester Wheatsheaf, Hemel Hempstead, UK; St. Martin’s Press, New York] model on the meaning of material possessions, results from both studies revealed that car use not only fulfils instrumental functions, but also important symbolic and affective functions. Second, it was studied to what extent these different motives are related to the level of car use. From the results of study 2, it appeared that commuter car use was most strongly related to symbolic and affective motives, and not to instrumental motives. Third, individual differences in the relative importance of the three categories of motives were investigated. In both studies, most group differences were found in the evaluation of the symbolic and affective motives (and not the instrumental ones). Especially frequent drivers, respondents with a positive car attitude, male and younger respondents valued these non-instrumental motives for car use. These results suggest that policy makers should not exclusively focus on instrumental motives for car use, but they should consider the many social and affective motives as well.
1,064 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the relative efficacy of state sales tax waivers, income tax credits and non-tax incentives for hybrid-electric vehicle adoption in the United States has been studied and shown that the type of tax incentive offered is as important as the value of the tax incentive.
Abstract: Federal, state and local governments use a variety of incentives to induce consumer adoption of hybrid-electric vehicles. We study the relative efficacy of state sales tax waivers, income tax credits and non-tax incentives and find that the type of tax incentive offered is as important as the value of the tax incentive. Conditional on value, we find that sales tax waivers are associated a seven-fold greater increase in hybrid sales than income tax credits. In addition, we estimate the extent to which consumer adoption of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) in the United States from 2000-2006 can be attributed to government incentives, changing gasoline prices, or consumer preferences for environmental quality or energy security. After controlling for model specific state and time trends, we find that rising gasoline prices are associated with higher hybrid sales, although the effect operates entirely through sales of the hybrid models with the highest fuel economy. In total, we find that tax incentives, rising gasoline prices and social preferences are associated with 6, 27 and 36 percent of high economy hybrid sales from 2000-2006.
595 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore both the promise and the possible pitfalls of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) concept, focusing first on its definition and then on its technical state-of-the-art.
551 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a full year of high-resolution driving data from 484 instrumented gasoline vehicles in the US is used to analyze daily driving patterns, and from those infer the range requirements of electric vehicles (EVs).
Abstract: One full year of high-resolution driving data from 484 instrumented gasoline vehicles in the US is used to analyze daily driving patterns, and from those infer the range requirements of electric vehicles (EVs). We conservatively assume that EV drivers would not change their current gasoline-fueled driving patterns and that they would charge only once daily, typically at home overnight. Next, the market is segmented into those drivers for whom a limited-range vehicle would meet every day’s range need, and those who could meet their daily range need only if they make adaptations on some days. Adaptations, for example, could mean they have to either recharge during the day, borrow a liquid-fueled vehicle, or save some errands for the subsequent day. From this analysis, with the stated assumptions, we infer the potential market share for limited-range vehicles. For example, we find that 9% of the vehicles in the sample never exceeded 100 miles in one day, and 21% never exceeded 150 miles in one day. These drivers presumably could substitute a limited-range vehicle, like electric vehicles now on the market, for their current gasoline vehicle without any adaptation in their driving at all. For drivers who are willing to make adaptations on 2 days a year, the same 100 mile range EV would meet the needs of 17% of drivers, and if they are willing to adapt every other month (six times a year), it would work for 32% of drivers. Thus, it appears that even modest electric vehicles with today’s limited battery range, if marketed correctly to segments with appropriate driving behavior, comprise a large enough market for substantial vehicle sales. An additional analysis examines driving versus parking by time of day. On the average weekday at 5 pm, only 15% of the vehicles in the sample are on the road; at no time during the year are fewer than 75% of vehicles parked. Also, because the return trip home is widely spread in time, even if all cars plug in and begin charging immediately when they arrive home and park, the increased demand on the electric system is less problematic than prior analyses have suggested.
541 citations