Barriers to Widespread Adoption of Electric Vehicles: An Analysis of Consumer Attitudes and Perceptions

Abstract

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are promoted as a viable near-term vehicle technology to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with conventional vehicles (CVs). In spite of the benefits of EVs, several obstacles need to be overcome before EVs will be widely adopted. A major barrier is that consumers tend to resist new technologies that are considered alien or unproved, thus, policy decisions that consider their critical concerns will have a higher level of success. This research identifies potential socio-technical barriers to consumer adoption of EVs and determines if sustainability issues influence consumer decision to purchase an EV. This study provides valuable insights into preferences and perceptions of technology enthusiasts; individuals highly connected to technology development and better equipped to sort out the many differences between EVs and CVs. This group of individuals will likely be early adopters of EVs only if they perceive them to be superior in performance compared to CVs. These results can guide policymakers in crafting energy and transportation policy. It can also provide guidance to EV engineers' decision in incorporating consumer preference into EV engineering design.

Department(s)

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering

Comments

Note: Top-cited article for past five years

Keywords and Phrases

Consumer Attitudes; Electric Vehicles; Socio-Technical Barriers; Consumer Preferences; Energy And Transportation; Engineering Design; Policy Decisions; Policy Makers; Sustainability Issues; Technology Development; Vehicle Technology; Fossil Fuels; Greenhouse Gases; Consumption Behavior; Electric Vehicle; Energy Policy; Perception; Public Attitude

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0301-4215

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2012 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Sep 2012

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