Procurement of Electric Vehicles to Reduce Transport Emission: An Empirical Study of Consumer Motivation towards Purchase Intention

Abstract

Transportation is critical in contributing to the quality of life development; however, it has also negatively impacted human life and the environment with carbon emissions. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are believed to be the best solution to reduce transport emissions. The EV adoption rate in developed countries is growing annually, but in developing countries very low, especially in Malaysia. Against this background, this study aims to identify the significant factors that can influence consumer motivation toward purchasing EVs. To the best of the author's knowledge, this contribution is the first where the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was modeled with performance expectancy, effort expectancy, fuel efficiency, technophilia, and advertisement to maximize the consumer motivation toward adoption of EVs. SmartPLS has analyzed independent variables' influence in this study by drawing a conceptual framework. The data has been collected from 150 respondents inside Malaysia through online questionnaires. Results of the study revealed that all factors except effort expectancy are most important in enhancing consumer motivations. Furthermore, this research has shown the elements with the determinant of motivation and advertisement interrelated with consumer intentions towards EVs and offered managerial implications. These factors will give insights to the transportation sectors in bridging the demand and supply of EVs.