Adoption Of Electric Cars Research Articles

Barriers to the adoption of electric cars: Evidence from an Italian survey

Italy has a very low level of uptake of electric cars (ECs), equal to 0.6% for the year 2019, despite significant efforts put in place by policy makers to stimulate their use. This paper investigates the barriers to wider EC diffusion via a survey administered in 2019 to a representative sample (N = 870) of the Italian population. We discuss and rank the barriers, aggregate them via principal component analysis (PCA) on the basis of the polychoric correlation matrix, perform a cluster analysis and analyse the socio-economic determinants of the respondents. The findings of this paper suggest a series of improvements that could be made by various actors. To overcome the financial barriers to EC uptake, Italian policy makers should reinforce incentives at the national and local levels and car manufacturers should bring to the market cheaper ECs belonging to the A and B segments. The charging-related barriers require investments on fast charging stations along the main toll highways and a new regulation regarding multi-house dwellings. Finally, reliable and complete information is needed to enhance knowledge about the technological and environmental pros and cons of ECs.

Buying an electric car: A rational choice or a norm-directed behavior?

The diffusion of electric cars can contribute to more sustainability in the transport sector, but diffusion rates in most countries are still low. We investigated motives for electric car adoption in German households from an environmental psychology perspective. The public debate focuses on rational aspects such as the purchase price or new technological demands (e.g., limited range and a new charging system). Psychological research on energy-related investment decisions in households confirms the relevance of rational motives, but additionally points to the importance of norm-directed motives (moral and social norms). We investigated the relevance of different motives in an online questionnaire with n = 220 members of German households interested in buying a new car. The questionnaire included possible rational and norm-related predictors of electric car adoption. We tested three action models to explain adoption intention: An adjusted technology acceptance model (TAM), an adjusted norm activation model (NAM), and an integrative model with predictors from both models. We analyzed the hypothesized models with path analyses. All models explained a substantial share of variance in adoption intention. The explained share of variance in the NAM was higher than in the TAM and comparably high to the integrative model. The results demonstrate the important role of moral and social motives for households’ investment decisions. Additionally, the technology’s perceived usefulness was an important rational motive. We discuss the context dependency of the results, as household members might have little knowledge about the new technology during the early stages of a technology’s diffusion process. The results strongly suggest broadening political support schemes, such as informational and image campaigns, as a way to more effectively foster electric car diffusion. More comprehensive assessments appear to be necessary in future analyses of electric car adoption as well as energy-related investment decisions.

Who is embracing the short-term rental of electric cars? A case study on Estonia

To achieve sustainability in the transport sector new technologies need to be complemented by new, sharing economy business models. Before launching policies to facilitate their diffusion, market segmentation and positioning needs to be considered. While the importance of innovators and early adopters in the diffusion of new technologies has already been emphasized for decades, their role and socioeconomic characteristics in the case of the diffusion of new business models remains under studied. This article investigates the socioeconomic characteristics of users of a short-term electric car rental service during a pilot phase of approximately-two years. The analysis is based on merging the service provider’s personalised user database with the National Population and Housing Census data. The results indicate that many of the observations from survey-based studies about the adoption of electric cars do not necessarily stand up in the context of a short-term rental service, particularly regarding the socioeconomic characteristics of the adopters such as age, family status, type of home and home ownership.

Real-time data from mobile platforms to evaluate sustainable transportation infrastructure

By displacing gasoline and diesel fuels, electric cars and fleets reduce emissions from the transportation sector, thus offering important public health benefits. However, public confidence in the reliability of charging infrastructure remains a fundamental barrier to adoption. Using large-scale social data and machine-learning based on 12,720 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, we provide national evidence on how well the existing charging infrastructure is serving the needs of the rapidly expanding population of EV drivers in 651 core-based statistical areas in the United States. We deploy supervised machine-learning algorithms to automatically classify unstructured text reviews generated by EV users. Extracting behavioural insights at a population scale has been challenging given that streaming data can be costly to hand classify. Using computational approaches, we reduce processing times for research evaluation from weeks of human processing to just minutes of computation. Contrary to theoretical predictions, we find that stations at private charging locations do not outperform public charging locations provided by the government. Overall, nearly half of drivers who use mobility applications have faced negative experiences at EV charging stations in the early growth years of public charging infrastructure, a problem that needs to be fixed as the market for electrified and sustainable transportation expands. A reliable charging infrastructure is critical to wider adoption of electric cars. With large-scale social data and machine intelligence, this study shows the importance of the quality, not just the quantity, of charging stations to consumers, suggesting policy design should include consumer data.

A Study on the Adoption of Electric Vehicles in India: The Mediating Role of Attitude

Pollution of the environment is currently a global concern. Toxic emission from internal combustion engines is one of the primary air pollutants. In order to mitigate the effects of fossil fuel emission and address environmental concerns (ECs), electric vehicles (EVs) are being promoted aggressively all over the world. Various governments are encouraging people to switch to EVs by incentivizing the transition. Previous studies indicate that the high cost of the electric car, non-availability of charging infrastructure, time and range anxiety act as impediments to consumer adoption. The Government of India has given a call for ‘only Electric Vehicles’ on Road by 2030. This article is contemporary and examines the different factors that affect a consumer’s adoption of an EV. The respondents of the study are existing car owners in India. The data were analysed using Structured Equation Modelling (SEM). Attitude (ATT) emerged as a strong mediator, influencing the adoption of electric cars.

Perceptual and motivational reasons for the low adoption of electric cars in Denmark

This paper investigates motivational reasons for the low adoption of electric cars (ECs) in Denmark. A theoretical framework was developed based on prior research and reasoned action theories (extended TPB and TAM), and a mixed-method approach consisting of in-depth interviews (n = 7) and a survey of a sample of Danish car owners (N = 238) with an oversampling of EC owners was employed. We find that Danish car owners’ intention to buy an EC increases with their attitude towards ECs and felt moral obligation to buy an eco-friendly car and decreases with increased perceived difficulty in use and feeling uncertain about ECs. Social influence on buying intentions is mediated through the attitude towards ECs and felt moral obligations. Personal experience as an EC owner leads to more favorable beliefs about ECs, which make all motivational factors more favorable. In order to increase demand for ECs, the focus should mainly be on reducing uncertainty and negative expectations. The most effective tool for achieving this is extended trial experience. In addition, communication and other means should be employed to alter the perceived balance between costs and benefits of the EC, including social norms marketing using testimonial advertising and word-of-mouth communication from satisfied EC owners.

An Investigation of Young Consumers’ Perceptions Towards the Adoption of Electric Cars

An Investigation of Young Consumers’ Perceptions Towards the Adoption of Electric Cars

Should All Cars Be Electric by 2025? The Electric Car Debate in Europe

The car is still the most common mode of transport in Western countries, particularly so across the European Union, as it accounts for about two-thirds of daily commuting. So far, measures aiming to reduce automobile traffic and incentives for the modal shift to public transport and non-polluting methods of travel (walking, cycling, etc.) have had little effect. Moreover, the car lies at the core of a very complex system that has proven to be difficult to unlock. In light of these challenges, using new types of engine power may appear to be a solution. Electric vehicles have the potential to improve the efficiency, affordability, and sustainability of the transport system. However, there remains much uncertainty as to how such a transition from one type of engine to another may unfold, and where it could take place within the European context. In June 2017, the H2020 project SHAPE-ENERGY launched an online debate on the Debating Europe platform with the question: “Should all cars be electric by 2025?”. The aim of the debate was to elicit citizens views on whether the goal could be reached, how and with which consequences. The diversity of the vantage points that have appeared in the subsequent discussion generated by the strands of debate allows us to bring into discussion the viewpoints and arguments that are not often addressed in the literature on the adoption of electric cars in a comprehensive way. The article sheds light on those debates across Europe, in order to bring new insights to European policymakers that are seeking to promote the market for electric vehicles. It also broadens the scope and offers important contributions to scholarly debates on the diffusion and adoption of such vehicles.

The impact of consumer attitudes towards energy efficiency on car choice: Survey results from Norway

We analyse how consumer attitudes towards energy efficiency and car characteristics affect the vehicle type choice. Our empirical analysis is based on a multinomial logit model and a unique dataset for Norway with a high share of actual users of battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. We find that the willingness to take a chance on new technologies significantly increase the likelihood of adopting electric vehicles, whereas environmental concern and environmental impacts of using more energy efficient cars do not have such a significant relationship. We also find that a lack of access to finance could be a barrier against the adoption of electric cars for many households. Furthermore, the results from the survey show that many people are still not convinced of the reliability and cost savings of electric cars, which might also be a barrier for adoption.

A higher rebound effect under bounded rationality: Interactions between car mobility and electricity generation

It is widely believed that with the right economic incentives, electrification of transport can significantly reduce CO2 emissions by 2050. Estimates of future emissions from car transport tend, though, to ignore technological change in electricity generation and bounded rationality of consumers. In this article we address these two shortcomings by developing a novel approach that captures the dynamic interdependence between the car industry and electricity generation. We assess how incorporating realistic behaviors affects estimates of emissions from passengers cars in four models of vehicle adoption, namely with rational, myopic, habit-oriented and loss-aversive consumers. This is then combined with three behavioral models of travel distance, describing rational, habitual and loss-averse drivers. In the electricity sector, technological change occurs through installation of new power plants embodying different energy technologies. This allows us to study the impact of policies promoting renewable energy on the price of electricity, and indirectly on the rate of adoption of electric cars. The findings indicate that substituting renewable energy for fossil fuels in electricity generation by 2050 can triple the electricity price. This undermines the positive effect of subsidies on electric car adoption, with the specific effect depending on particular behaviors assumed to hold. In addition, we show that myopic and loss-averse consumers buy on average less fuel-efficient cars than rational agents. Habitual drivers tend to commute larger distances than rational ones, as they do not adjust their behavior optimally to changes in fuel prices and improvements in fuel efficiencies. These behavioral effects contribute to the rebound effect. Our findings indicate that vehicle choice and driving under rational behavior generate consistently the lowest estimates of life-cycle emissions. By ignoring more realistic behaviors consistent with bounded rationality, current studies underestimate emissions from passenger cars, in turn contributing to overly optimistic expectations about policy impacts.

Oil Industry May Soon Be Losing Sales From Electric Car Adoption

Oil Industry May Soon Be Losing Sales From Electric Car Adoption

A generalized dynamic discrete choice model for green vehicle adoption

Much is happening in the automotive industry and new models are in the market or are expected to be available soon. At the same time, environmental awareness, new regulations for increased fuel efficiency, and the need to diminish greenhouse gas emissions make small vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles more competitive. As a consequence, vehicle characteristics and consumer decisions will change rapidly in the short and medium run. Accounting for the dynamic of the problem is important to correctly forecast green vehicle acceptance and to evaluate eco-friendly policies. This paper proposes a generalized dynamic discrete choice approach that models purchase behavior and forecasts future preferences in a finite time horizon setting. The framework allows one-time purchases, repeated purchases, univariate and multivariate diffusion processes that capture the evolution of vehicle characteristics and dynamics in the market conditions. The models proposed are estimated using stated preference data collected in Maryland. Results show that the formulation with repeated purchases successfully captures changes in the market shares, and that the multivariate diffusion process adopted to model the evolution of fuel prices further improves both model fit and the ability to recover peaks in demand. The estimated coefficients have been applied to test different policy scenarios, including changes in fuel prices, vehicle purchase prices, and improvements of car characteristics. These policies have a high impact on the adoption of electric cars and on their diffusion in the marketplace.

New opportunities for electric car adoption: the case of range myths, new forms of subsidies, and social norms

New opportunities for electric car adoption: the case of range myths, new forms of subsidies, and social norms

Personal Values, Green Self-identity and Electric Car Adoption

Personal values, green self-identity and ethical motives have been widely studied as important, but mostly separate, predictors of pro-environmental behaviors. Scholars call for more research on the combined effects of these variables, to explain pro-environmental behavior. In this regard, this study presents a model of electric car adoption intention, in which personal values determine green self-identity, which in turn influences consumer intention to adopt electric cars directly and also indirectly via ethical motives of ecological care and moral obligation. Second, this work explores how personal values moderate the relationships between green self-identity, ecological care, moral obligation and electric car adoption intention.Data were collected through a survey in a sample of 2005 car drivers residing in Belgium, Denmark and Italy. Results confirm that four value domains (i.e., self-transcendence, self-enhancement, openness-to-change and conservation) influence green self-identity, which in turn determines consumer intention to adopt electric cars both directly and indirectly via ecological care and moral obligation motivations. Furthermore, consumers who find self-transcendent and openness-to-change values important tend to express their green self-identity directly into intentions and through moral obligation evaluations. Conversely, individuals who find self-enhancement values important express their green self-identity directly into intentions, while they take the ecological and moral considerations to behave green less into account. Finally, consumers who find conservation values important translate their green self-identity less into intentions to adopt electric cars, and tend to consider less the ecological and moral aspects of consumption choices.

A Generalized Dynamic Discrete Choice Model for Green Vehicle Adoption

Abstract: Much is happening in the automotive industry and new models are in the market or are expected to be available soon. At the same time, environmental awareness, new regulations for increased fuel efficiency, and the need to diminish greenhouse gas emissions make small vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles more competitive. As a consequence, vehicle characteristics and consumer decisions will change rapidly in the short and medium run. Accounting for the dynamic of the problem is important to correctly forecast green vehicle acceptance and to evaluate eco-friendly policies. This paper proposes a generalized dynamic discrete choice approach that models purchase behavior and forecasts future preferences in a finite time horizon setting. The framework allows one-time purchases, repeated purchases, univariate and multivariate diffusion processes that capture the evolution of vehicle characteristics and dynamics in the market conditions. The models proposed are estimated using stated preference data collected in Maryland. Results show that the formulation with repeated purchases successfully captures changes in the market shares, and that the multivariate diffusion process adopted to model the evolution of fuel prices further improves both model fit and the ability to recover peaks in demand. The estimated coefficients have been applied to test different policy scenarios, including changes in fuel prices, vehicle purchase prices, and improvements of car characteristics. These policies have a high impact on the adoption of electric cars and on their diffusion in the marketplace.

A self-identity based model of electric car adoption intention: A cross-cultural comparative study

This study proposes a self-identity based eco-friendly intention formation model to assess the effects of green self-identity, care for the environmental consequences of consumption, and green moral obligation, on the attitude toward and the intention to adopt electric cars. The model is empirically validated in three European countries: Denmark, Belgium and Italy. A total of 2005 respondents with a driver's license participate in the study. Structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis are performed to measure the significance of the hypothesized model paths and to assess differences between the countries. Results show that the independent variables influence consumer attitude toward the adoption of electric cars, which, in turn, determines the intention to adopt them. Significant differences emerge concerning the influence of the antecedents of consumer attitude toward electric car adoption between Denmark, Belgium and Italy, which are discussed in light of Hofstede's national cultural differences between these countries.

Transport energy consumption in mountainous roads. A comparative case study for internal combustion engines and electric vehicles in Andorra

This paper analyses transport energy consumption of conventional and electric vehicles in mountainous roads. A standard round trip in Andorra has been modelled in order to characterise vehicle dynamics in hilly regions. Two conventional diesel vehicles and their electric-equivalent models have been simulated and their performances have been compared. Six scenarios have been simulated to study the effects of factors such as orography, traffic congestion and driving style. The European fuel consumption and emissions test and Artemis urban driving cycles, representative of European driving cycles, have also been included in the comparative analysis. The results show that road grade has a major impact on fuel economy, although it affects consumption in different levels depending on the technology analysed. Electric vehicles are less affected by this factor as opposed to conventional vehicles, increasing the potential energy savings in a hypothetical electrification of the car fleet. However, electric vehicle range in mountainous terrains is lower compared to that estimated by manufacturers, a fact that could adversely affect a massive adoption of electric cars in the short term.

Multi-period planning for electric car charging station locations: A case of Korean Expressways

Abstract One of the most critical barriers to widespread adoption of electric cars is the lack of charging station infrastructure. Although it is expected that a sufficient number of charging stations will be constructed eventually, due to various practical reasons they may have to be introduced gradually over time. In this paper, we formulate a multi-period optimization model based on a flow-refueling location model for strategic charging station location planning. We also propose two myopic methods and develop a case study based on the real traffic flow data of the Korean Expressway network in 2011. We discuss the performance of the three proposed methods.

전기차 시장의 활성화를 위한 정부의 금융 지원 정책 분석

Several developed countries have recently provided electric vehicle consumers and producers with financial subsidies. There has been some empirical research on the impact of government subsidies on the consumers’ purchase of electric cars. However, little analytical research on the government subsidies for the electric car market exists. This research analyzes the impact of the government financial s ubsidies on the electric car price and technology level as well as the consumers’ adoption of electric cars. This resea rch also suggests that the government should subsidize only the electric car market to further improve the electric car technology.

Improving Sustainability in Urban Areas: Discussing the Potential for Transforming Conventional Car-based Travel into Electric Mobility

To reduce the environmental burden of urban road traffic, researchers and policy-makers have focused on reducing car use in urban areas, and improving public transport. Current expectations with respect to electric cars are high, not only for environmental reasons, but also because of the expected depletion of fossil fuels. Using a conceptual model for environmental burden caused by cars and a categorization of policy instruments and their effects, this paper discusses policies to encourage the adoption of electric cars. The paper also discusses the implications of the successful introduction of electric cars for conventional urban transport policies. The paper concludes that electric vehicles could bring substantial benefits to the environment and energy consumption, but the long-term environmental benefits largely depend on the size of potential rebound effects, the life-cycle effects with respect to energy, differences between electric cars and their competitors in “well-to-wheel” consumption, and—more particularly—improvements with respect to its main competitor: improved internal combustion engine powered cars. Secondly, the paper shows that policies to encourage electric cars should be adaptive. Probably in the early stages of introduction, privileges in central urban areas are useful. But in the long run, driving and parking electric vehicles should be limited for reasons of liveability. Thirdly, electric cars will never become a full substitute for public transport, the main reasons for this being land take and inefficient use of infrastructure.