Exploring behaviors and satisfaction of micro-electric vehicle sharing service users: Evidence from a demonstration project in Jeju Island, South Korea

Abstract

This study investigated the participants of a demonstration project of micro-electric vehicle (micro-EV) sharing services on Jeju Island, South Korea. Their usage patterns and satisfaction levels were thoroughly explored by analyzing multiple data sources collected via an extensive travel diary survey, in-depth interviews, satisfaction and importance surveys, and real-time micro-EV usage records. The results demonsrate that micro-EVs tend to be chiefly used for short-distance trips; the average travel time per trip was approximately 9 min, and the spatial distribution of trips was highly concentrated in areas where houses and workplaces are located. According to the quantitative and qualitative analysis of user satisfaction, the most important factor affecting this limited range of usage was the physical anxiety of using the vehicle because of its size and mechanical quality. We expect our results to contribute to widening the knowledge on the possible coverage of micro-EV sharing services in daily activities and factors affecting this coverage.