Factors impacting consumers’ intention toward adoption of electric vehicles in Malaysia

Abstract

Electric vehicles have significantly contributed to the sustainability of world economic growth. It is of critical importance to understand and examine the factors impacting the consumers’ attitude toward the adoption of electric vehicles. However, limited study investigated the effect of altruism on electric vehicles adoption from a pro-environmental behaviour perspective. Therefore, the present work aimed at identifying the influencing factors on consumers’ intention to use electric vehicles. To this end, a model has been developed based on two theoretical models called the Norm Activation Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The potential consumers in Malaysia were selected to answer questionnaires. Accordingly, 177 valid questionnaires were collected and the influencing factors on the electric vehicles purchase intention were empirically analyzed using a structural equation model. According to the results, perceived value, attitude, the ascription of responsibility, subjective norms, personal norms, perceived consumer effectiveness, and awareness of consequences affected the consumers’ electric vehicles’ purchase intention significantly and positively. Consumers’ behaviour regarding the adoption of electric vehicles can be understood better through the findings of this study, while electric vehicle development can be promoted as well.