Who are less likely to vote for a low emission charging zone? Attitudes and adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles

Abstract

• We revealed who are more likely to vote against a low emission charging zone (LECZ). • Adoption of HEVs and attitudes to the scheme were tested with the LECZ acceptability. • Around two-thirds of the participants voted against the LECZ scheme. • Affordable price and the maintenance of HEVs are negatively related to voting against. • Distrust in government was noticeably associated with the LECZ rejection. Based on data derived from a self-reported questionnaire survey (n = 595), the current study was carried out to (a) determine the extent to which residents support a Low Emission Charging Zone (LECZ) via a hypothetical referendum voting, (b) examine the relationship between intention to adopt Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (HEVs) by voting for/against LECZ through employing the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and (c) investigate public attitudes towards the proposed system. The results indicated that around two-thirds of the participants voted against the LECZ scheme, and that latent psychological factors had a stronger impact on voting against the LECZ than observed variables. The results also revealed that people would be more likely to adopt and less likely to oppose the LECZ if the price, maintenance, and repair of HEVs were affordable. Regarding public attitudes towards the proposed system, distrust in government concerning the use of LECZ-derived revenues was noticeably related to the LECZ rejection. In the light of the findings, some policy and planning implications are recommended.