Post-COVID-19 Electric Vehicle Market in Poland: Economic-Based Determinants

Abstract

Theoretical background: The theory of rational consumer choice significantly impacts the shape of the contemporary car market, which constitutes an essential part of the automotive industry and the national economy and has a considerable influence on the behavior of individuals. In the context of the car market, consumers’ decision-making process is subject to several factors, particularly in light of the EU’s initiative to transition the automotive industry towards zero emission solutions. Furthermore, this implies potential changes in the degree of impact on the course of transformation, adoption rate, and economic growth through network effects. Recent years have witnessed changes in various critical factors, alongside the emergence of new factors, which could significantly impact the competitiveness of electric vehicles in relation to internal combustion vehicles. Purpose of the article: The article aims to examine the current condition of the Polish car market in the post-COVID-19 period with particular emphasis on the electric vehicle market and indicate its present shape in comparison to the market of conventional vehicles from the supply perspective. Also, it attempts to identify and define the most critical factors that influenced the development of the market and their role in the coming years. Identifying and categorizing the most critical factors will allow us to indicate the current weaknesses of the zero-emission vehicle market. This may allow for more efficient identification and solving of problems standing in the way of its development. Research methods: In order to realize the goals of the research, several methods were used: a critical analysis of the literature on the subject; a quantitative analysis of statistical data was used along with qualitative research to examine the factors that impacted the car market in Poland. As a result, a network of categories describing the associations between factors and their effects on the researched topic was identified and studied. Main findings: Examination of Poland’s electric vehicle market reveals a complex interplay of variables across market. The identified combined factors impede mass adoption of battery electric vehicles, resulting in dynamic yet relatively insignificant annual percentage changes in market growth within the overall passenger vehicle market. The problems focus on governmental, economic and social factors, but also on very important technological and ecological factors, questioning in some cases the current form of electromobility on the Polish market.