Analysis of the Key Determinants of Electric Two-Wheeler Use in the Indian Context

Abstract

AbstractThis study aims to identify and prioritize the key determinants specific to electric two-wheeler use in the Indian context based on the opinions of the transportation planning experts (including researchers, academics, and practitioners). Initially, key attributes influencing electric two-wheelers use in the Indian context were identified based on a sound review of existing research literature and classified into seven specific categories. The categories are Economic, Vehicle, Environment, Battery, User, Infrastructure and Commute quality-related attributes. Based on the relevant identified attributes, a pairwise questionnaire was designed to elicit the expert's opinion on the recognized set of attributes influencing the usage of electric bicycles and electric motorcycles. Subsequently, the data collected in a pairwise comparison framework was examined using an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a widely used Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) technique. From the results, purchase cost, range, tailpipe emission, battery life, safety, charging infrastructure, and travel time reliability are found to be the key influencing attributes for the use of Electric Two-Wheelers (E2W). Consistency test was conducted to validate the consistency of the ranks across the specific set of attributes. Friedman test, a nonparametric test, was performed, and the results obtained from the test have validated the consistency of the ranks across all the categories of the attributes.KeywordsElectric two-wheelersExpert opinionMulti-criteria decision-makingAnalytical hierarchy process (AHP)Friedman test