Analysis of the Barriers to Widespread Adoption of Electric Vehicles in Shenzhen China

Fa-Ping Wang,Jia-Li Yu,Peng Yang,Li-Xin Miao,Bin Ye

doi:10.3390/su9040522

Abstract

China promoted the large-scale adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in its 13th five-year plan; however, this target faces many obstacles. This paper analyzes the main barriers to widespread adoption of EVs through a survey in Shenzhen, which has the biggest EVs market share out of China’s major cities. Based on previous research, this paper conducted a new study using 406 approved questionnaires among 500 participants. Our study proposed five hypotheses to examine the main barriers to widespread adoption of EVs. The analysis was conducted using statistical method that included two-way frequency tables, chi-square test, and factor analysis. The results indicated that perception of advantages of EVs and access to recharging EVs remained the main barriers in large-scale penetration. Furthermore, our study revealed that a drop in financial incentives would not cause a significant decline in the future adoption of EVs. The study provides suggestions to car manufacturers and government policy advisors based on our analysis and discussion.

Highlights

Electric vehicles (EVs) are classified based on their fuel technologies, of which there are four types: plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), extended-range battery electric vehicles (E-REVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) [1]
The results indicated that sustainability and environmental benefits of EVs have a major influence on EVs adoption, and a major potential barriers to widespread EVs adoption is the uncertainty associated with the EVs battery technology and sustainability of fuel source
Sustainability 2017, 9, 522 hypotheses# 1: The participants showed more preference for EVs with a local brand and elegant style; hypotheses# 2: The participants’ attitude toward EVs depends on the perception of the advantages of EV technology compared with in combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs); hypotheses# 3: The buying willingness of participants depends on the access to recharging EVs; hypotheses# 4: The high price of EVs is a critical barrier in purchasing willingness; and hypotheses# 5: Consumer purchasing willingness will decrease if financial subsidies drop significantly

Summary

Introduction

Electric vehicles (EVs) are classified based on their fuel technologies, of which there are four types: plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), extended-range battery electric vehicles (E-REVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) [1]. Most developed countries are carrying out a variety public policies and financial incentives for the large-scale adoption of EVs. In the existing literature, much research focused on the topics of consumer choice, recharging station placement, and the economic analysis of EV promotion [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. Despite a broad consensus on the large-scale adoption of EVs in the world, its benefits and realization falls on the willingness of consumers to accept new technology. To fully understand the behavior behind a consumer’s choice, another survey was conducted in major US cities to examine the consumer’s willingness and attitude towards plug-in electric cars. When considering range anxiety, a barrier to EVs adoption, several studies have inferred that people are not willing to choose EVs due to range anxiety and inconvenient recharging access [6]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion