Abstract
Electric vehicles (EVs) are related to various symbols, identities, and beliefs, and are considered much more than a means of transport. Existing literature has investigated the contribution of financial incentives and various psychological factors to the EV purchase decision. However, few studies investigate the effect of psychological factors on post-purchase EV use. We emphasize that the ultimate success in the widespread acceptance of EVs depends acutely on their post-purchase use. This study empirically addressed the effect of perceived attributes related to EVs, perceived accidental risk, self-environmental identity, and general environmental beliefs on the annual vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) by battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners. Drivers who own only BEVs and those who own both internal combustion engine vehicles and BEVs were compared to identify the role of psychological factors in BEV use in a Norwegian sample. The dataset was analysed using an ordinary least squared regression model. The socio-demographic characteristics and mobility patterns of the two groups are investigated. The findings indicate that economic aspects are positively associated with annual VKT for sole BEV owners, whereas perceived operating barriers have a negative effect on annual VKT for the other group. The results suggest the inclusion of psychological factors in predicting a more precise model of the induced travel demand of EV owners, which, in turn, is necessary to estimate energy demand accurately and to take steps in establishing the required infrastructure.
Highlights
Electric mobility is increasing worldwide as it contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and oil dependency caused by road transport
We investigated the role of perceived attributes related to Electrified vehicles (EVs), perceived accidental risk, self-environmental identity, and general environmental beliefs on vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) by conducting an empirical analysis using survey results
The perceived economic aspects are statistically significantly influential for sole battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners, whereas perceived barriers related to EVs are statistically significant for drivers owning both BEVs and internal com bustion engine vehicles (ICEVs)
Summary
Electric mobility is increasing worldwide as it contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and oil dependency caused by road transport. Electrified vehicles (EVs) have comparatively less or zero tailpipe emissions as well as higher fuel efficiency than internal com bustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) (Degirmenci & Breitner, 2017; Mersky, Sprei, Samaras, & Qian, 2016) and are one type of alternative fuel vehicle in which entire or at least partial propulsion is powered by electric energy. EVs incorporate functional innovations—higher fuel efficiency, reduced tailpipe emissions, and no traffic noise—that, in effect, improve the overall driving experience. Energy effi ciency, lower electricity cost, as well as use-based EV policy incentives, reduce the marginal cost of driving EVs. Over and above this, techno logical differences mean that EVs require less maintenance compared with conventional vehicles (Egbue & Long, 2012; Palmer, Tate, Wadud, & Nellthorp, 2018). The symbolic attributes (e.g. expressing self-identity, community involvement, portraying personal status) that consumers associate with their EVs are linked to further personal con notations, such as ethics, maturity, concern for others, and individuality (Heffner, Kurani, & Turrentine, 2007)
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