Factors Influencing Battery Electric Vehicle Adoption in Thailand—Expanding the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology’s Variables

Abstract

The replacement of combustion cars with battery electric cars can help to support sustainable transport and renewable energy in green transportation in Thailand; however, the diffusion rates of electric cars are still low. The purpose of this study is to examine factors that influence Thai car owners’ adoption of battery electric vehicles. The proposed model expands the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as the theoretical framework. Data were collected through an online questionnaire survey completed by 403 participants in Bangkok and the vicinity and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The result showed that purchase intention is significantly and positively influenced by performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, and environmental concern. In contrast, purchase intention is not significantly influenced by price value and policy measures. Use behavior is positively influenced by purchase intention. Facilitating conditions do not significantly influence purchase intention and use behavior. Moreover, only the age variable was found to have significant effects on purchase behavior. This study suggests that governments with incentive policies and electric car manufacturers should focus on improving cars to increase battery electric car adoption.