Heterogeneous Factors Influencing Electric Vehicle Acceptance: Application of Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Since electric vehicle (ELV) deployment can contribute to overall renewable energy sources, exploration of the heterogeneous influence factors (HIFs) affecting the willingness to accept ELVs can assist in the realization of sustainable development goals, particularly universal access to affordable energy for all. In this research, we explored the HIFs that influence the willingness of individuals to accept ELVs (WAELV) within an integrated decision-making (IDM) framework. We established the IDM conceptual framework through the incorporation of HIFs, notably including the environmental and health benefits of ELVs, knowledge about innovation, and the benefits regarding the built environment and creating a comprehensive structure. We analyzed data gathered through questionnaires from urban and peri-urban areas of the Shandong province (China) by employing the partial least square structural equation modeling technique, which is an appropriate tool for analyzing data measured on a Likert scale. The key findings were as follows. Firstly, the capital cost of ELVs was found to be a significant barrier to the WAELV of individuals. Secondly, among other factors, the societal aspect of ELVs and the environmental awareness aspect were drivers of the WAELV of individuals across all the data samples. However, benefits for the built environment, knowledge about innovation, and the environmental and health benefits of ELVs only positively drove the WAELV of individuals in the urban setting and for the overall sample. Thirdly, these three HIFs were identified as neutral factors in the peri-urban areas. Thus, a clear disparity was detected between the urban and peri-urban areas in terms of factors influencing the WAELV of individuals. Finally, the social aspect of ELVs was revealed as the strongest driver, while benefits for the built environment turned out to be the weakest factor. Based on these findings, some crucial policies are here extracted.