Evaluating the adoption of electric vehicles: Insights from Ghana

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) are eco-friendly automobile innovation and is evolving as a promising solution to global challenges such as energy scarcity and environmental pollution. However, adoption of EVs in Ghana remains limited. Hence, the study examined the underlying factors affecting EVs adoption in Ghana using web-based survey involving 902 participants across Ghana. The study employed Innovation Diffusion Theory and Binary Logistic Regression to address the objective. The result shows that gender, driving license, driving experience, vehicle ownership, source of information on EVs, and knowledge of EVs were significant demographic factors related to the adoption of EVs. Apparently, being male, middle age, driving experience ranging from 6 to 20 years, higher-income earners, private car owners, familiarity with EVs, and those with knowledge of EVs from sources like internet and school were more inclined to adopt EVs. Moreover, factors such as economic benefits, availability of charging infrastructure, environmental concerns, and self-image are more likely to increase EVs adoption. Categorically, the perception that EVs: save fuel, provide economic advantages, reduced air pollution, produced low carbon emissions, protect the environment, are easy to maintain and availability of repair resources are more likely to motivate the adoption of EVs. Furthermore, charging stations availability, personal image enhancement, and peer influence are closely related to the adoption of EVs. However, not opting to adopt EVs is closely related to concerns about tax incentives associated with owning an EV, the distance traveled before recharging, and the belief that EVs have low noise levels. Policy implications were also discussed.