Advances in consumer electric vehicle adoption research: a review and research agenda
Open accessAbstract
In spite of the purported positive environmental consequences of electrifying the light duty vehicle fleet, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in use is still insignificant. One reason for the modest adoption figures is that the mass acceptance of EVs to a large extent is reliant on consumers’ perception of EVs. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the drivers for and barriers against consumer adoption of plug-in EVs, as well as an overview of the theoretical perspectives that have been utilized for understanding consumer intentions and adoption behavior towards EVs. In addition, we identify gaps and limitations in existing research and suggest areas in which future research would be able to contribute.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The literature has more recently tended to focus on consumers, often with limited experience with EVs, to explain barriers in EV adoption.
“the literature has more recently tended to focus on consumers, often with limited experience with EVs, to explain barriers in EV adoption”
From Understanding the socio-technical nexus of Nordic electric vehicle (EV) barriers: A qualitative discussion of range, price, charging and knowledge (2020) · cites this paper as Rezvani et al., 2015
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
The theory of planned behavior
Ajzen, I. (1991) · Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes · doi:10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-t · Cited by 90,587 · see citing works
New Environmental Theories: Toward a Coherent Theory of Environmentally Significant Behavior
Stern, P. C. (2000) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/0022-4537.00175 · Cited by 8,682 · see citing works
Dunlap, R. E., Van Liere, K. D., Mertig, A. G., & Jones, R. E. (2000) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/0022-4537.00176 · Cited by 5,678 · see citing works
Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: An integrative review and research agenda
Steg, L., & Vlek, C. (2009) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.10.004 · Cited by 5,089 · see citing works
Progress on a cognitive-motivational-relational theory of emotion
Lazarus, R. S. (1991) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.46.8.819 · Cited by 3,272 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 56
- Arts, J.W.C., Frambach, R.T., Bijmolt, T.H.A., 2011. Generalizations on consumer innovation adoption: A meta-analysis on drivers of intention and behavior. Int. J. Res. Mark. 28 (2), 134-144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2010.11.002. · DOI
- Axsen, J., Kurani, K.S., 2013. Connecting plug-in vehicles with green electricity through consumer demand. Environ. Res. Lett. 8 (1), 014045. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/1/014045. · DOI
- Axsen, J., TyreeHageman, J., Lentz, A., 2012. Lifestyle practices and pro-environmental technology. Ecol. Econ. 82, 64-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.ecolecon.2012.07.013. · DOI
- Bamberg, S., Möser, G., 2007. Twenty years after Hines, Hungerford, and Tomera: a new meta-analysis of psycho-social determinants of pro-environmental behaviour. J. Environ. Psychol. 27 (1), 14-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2006.12.002. · DOI · Paper page
- Brady, J., O'Mahony, M., 2011. Travel to work in Dublin. The potential impacts of electric vehicles on climate change and urban air quality. Transp. Res. D Transp. Environ. 16 (2), 188-193. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2010.09.006. · DOI
- Budde Christensen, T., Wells, P., Cipcigan, L., 2012. Can innovative business models overcome resistance to electric vehicles? Better place and battery electric cars in Denmark. Energy Policy 48, 498-505. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.05.054. · DOI
- Burgess, M., King, N., Harris, M., Lewis, E., 2013. Electric vehicle drivers' reported interactions with the public: Driving stereotype change? Transport. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 17, 33-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2012.09.003. · DOI
- Caperello, N.D., Kurani, K.S., 2011. Households' stories of their encounters with a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Environ. Behav. 1-16. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1177/0013916511402057. · DOI
- Carley, S., Krause, R.M., Lane, B.W., Graham, J.D., 2013. Intent to purchase a plug-in electric vehicle: a survey of early impressions in large US cites. Transp. Res. D Transp. Environ. 18, 39-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2012.09.007. · DOI
- Caulfield, B., Farrell, S., McMahon, B., 2010. Examining individuals preferences for hybrid electric and alternatively fuelled vehicles. Transp. Policy 17 (6), 381-387. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2010.04.005. · DOI
- Daziano, R.A., Chiew, E., 2012. Electric vehicles rising from the dead: data needs for forecasting consumer response toward sustainable energy sources in personal transportation. Energy Policy 51, 876-894. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.09.040. · DOI
- Egbue, O., Long, S., 2012. Barriers to widespread adoption of electric vehicles: An analysis of consumer attitudes and perceptions. Energy Policy 48, 717-729. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.06.009. · DOI · Paper page
- Flamm, B.J., Weinstein, A., 2012. Constraints to green vehicle ownership: a focus group study. Transp. Res. Part D 17 (2), 108-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.trd.2011.09.013. · DOI
- Franke, T., Neumann, I., Bühler, F., Cocron, P., Krems, J.F., 2011. Experiencing range in an electric vehicle: understanding psychological barriers. Appl. Psychol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2011.00474.x. · DOI
- Frijda, N.H., Kuipers, P., ter Schure, E., 1989. Relations among emotion, appraisal, and emotional action readiness. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 57 (2), 212-228.
- Giddens, A., 1991. Modernity and Self-Identity. Stanford University Press, Stanford.
- Graham-Rowe, E., Gardner, B., Abraham, C., Skippon, S., Dittmar, H., Hutchins, R., Stannard, J., 2012. Mainstream consumers driving plug-in battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars: a qualitative analysis of responses and evaluations. Transp. Res. A Policy Pract. 46 (1), 140-153. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.tra.2011.09.008. · DOI
- Heffner, R.R., Kurani, K.S., Turrentine, T.S., 2007. Symbolism in California's early market for hybrid electric vehicles. Transp. Res. D Transp. Environ. 12 (6), 396-413. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2007.04.003. · DOI
- Holak, S.L., Lehmann, D.R., Sultan, F., 1987. The role of expectations in the adoption of innovative consumer durables: some preliminary evidence. J. Retail. 63 (3), 243, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=6353729&site=ehost-live.
- Huijts, N.M.A., Molin, E.J.E., Steg, L., 2012. Psychological factors influencing sustainable energy technology acceptance: A review-based comprehensive framework. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 16 (1), 525-531.
- Jansson, J., 2011. Consumer eco-innovation adoption: assessing attitudinal factors and perceived product characteristics. Bus. Strategy Environ. 210, 192- 210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bse.690. · DOI
- Jansson, J., Marell, A., Nordlund, A., 2009. Elucidating green consumers: A cluster analytic approach on proenvironmental purchase and curtailment behaviors. J. Euromarketing 18 (4), 245-267. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10496480903364242. · DOI
- Jansson, J., Marell, A., Nordlund, A., 2010. Green consumer behavior: determinants of curtailment and eco-innovation adoption. J. Consumer Mark. 27 (4), 358-370. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/07363761011052396. · DOI
- Jensen, A.F., Cherchi, E., Mabit, S.L., 2013. On the stability of preferences and attitudes before and after experiencing an electric vehicle. Transp. Res. D Transp. Environ. 25, 24-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2013.07.006. · DOI
- Kahn, M.E., 2007. Do greens drive Hummers or hybrids? Environmental ideology as a determinant of consumer choice. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 54 (2), 129-145. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2007.05.001. · DOI
- Kollmuss, A., Agyeman, J., 2002. Mind the gap : why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behavior? Environ. Educ. Res. 8 (3). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1350462022014540. · DOI
- Krupa, J.S., Rizzo, D.M., Eppstein, M.J., Brad Lanute, D., Gaalema, D.E., Lakkaraju, K., Warrender, C.E., 2014. Analysis of a consumer survey on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Transp. Res. A Policy Pract. 64, 14-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2014.02.019). · DOI
- Lane, B., Potter, S., 2007. The adoption of cleaner vehicles in the UK: exploring the consumer attitude-action gap. J. Cleaner Prod. 15 (11-12), 1085-1092. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.05.026. · DOI
- Lee, A.Y., Keller, P.A., Sternthal, B., 2010. Value from regulatory construal fit: the persuasive impact of fit between consumer goals and message concreteness. J. Consumer Res. 36 (5), 735-747.
- Lieven, T., Mühlmeier, S., Henkel, S., Waller, J.F., 2011. Who will buy electric cars? An empirical study in Germany. Transp. Res. D Transp. Environ. 16 (3), 236-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2010.12.001. · DOI
- Meleady, R., Hopthrow, T., Crisp, R.J., 2012. Simulating social dilemmas: promoting cooperative behavior through imagined group discussion. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 104 (5), 839-853. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0031233. · DOI
- Moons, I., De Pelsmacker, P., 2012. Emotions as determinants of electric car usage intention. J. Mark. Manage. 28 (3-4), 195-237.
- Musti, S., Kockelman, K.M., 2011. Evolution of the household vehicle fleet: anticipating fleet composition, PHEV adoption and GHG emissions in Austin, Texas. Transp. Res. A Policy Pract 45 (8), 707-720. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2011.04.011. · DOI
- Noppers, E.H., Keizer, K., Bolderdijk, J.W., Steg, L., 2014. The adoption of sustainable innovations: driven by symbolic and environmental motives. Global Environ. Change 25, 52-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.01.012. · DOI
- Oliver, J.D., Rosen, D.E., 2010. Applying the environmental propensity framework: a segmented approach to hybrid electric vehicle marketing strategies. J. Mark. Theory Pract. 18 (4), 377-393. http://dx.doi.org/10.2753/MTP1069-6679180405. · DOI
- Onwezen, M.C., Antonides, G., Bartels, J., 2013. The norm activation model: an exploration of the functions of anticipated pride and guilt in pro- environmental behaviour. J. Econ. Psychol. 39, 141-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2013.07.005. · DOI
- Ozaki, R., Sevastyanova, K., 2011. Going hybrid: an analysis of consumer purchase motivations. Energy Policy 39 (5), 2217-2227. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.enpol.2010.04.024. · DOI
- Pearre, N.S., Kempton, W., Guensler, R.L., Elango, V.V., 2011. Electric vehicles: how much range is required for a day's driving? Transp. Res. C Emerg. Technol. 19 (6), 1171-1184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2010.12.010. · DOI · Paper page
- Peters, A., Dütschke, E., 2014. How do consumers perceive electric vehicles? A comparison of german consumer groups. J. Environ. Policy Plan. (September), 1-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2013.879037. · DOI
- Pickett-Baker, J., Ozaki, R., 2008. Pro-environmental products: marketing influence on consumer purchase decision. J. Consumer Mark. 25 (5), 281-293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/07363760810890516. · DOI
- Richins, M.L., 1997. Measuring emotions in consumption experience. J. Consum. Res. 24 (2), 127-146.
- Rogers, E.M., 2003. Diffusion of Innovations, fifth ed. Free Press, New York.
- Saussure, F., 1965. Course in General Linguistics. McGraw Hill, New York.
- Schuitema, G., Anable, J., Skippon, S., Kinnear, N., 2013. The role of instrumental, hedonic and symbolic attributes in the intention to adopt electric vehicles. Transp. Res. A Policy Pract. 48, 39-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2012.10.004. · DOI · Paper page
- Schwartz, S.H., 1977. Normative influences on altruism. In: Berkowitz, L. (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, vol. 10. Academic Press, New York.
- Shih, E., Schau, H.J., 2011. To justify or not to justify: the role of anticipated regret on consumers' decisions to upgrade technological innovations. J. Retail. 87 (2), 242-251. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2011.01.006. · DOI
- Sierzchula, W., 2014. Factors influencing fleet manager adoption of electric vehicles. Transp. Res. D Transp. Environ. 31, 126-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.trd.2014.05.022. · DOI
- Skippon, S., Garwood, M., 2011. Responses to battery electric vehicles: UK consumer attitudes and attributions of symbolic meaning following direct experience to reduce psychological distance. Transp. Res. D Transp. Environ. 16 (7), 525-531. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2011.05.005. · DOI
- Sovacool, B., Hirsh, R., 2009. Beyond batteries: an examination of the benefits and barriers to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) transition. Energy Policy 37, 1095-1103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2008.10.005. · DOI · Paper page
- Sovacool, B.K., 2009. Rejecting renewables: the socio-technical impediments to renewable electricity in the United States. Energy Policy 37 (11), 4500-4513. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.05.073. · DOI
- Steg, L., 2005. Car use: lust and must. Instrumental, symbolic and affective motives for car use. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice 39 (2-3), 147-162. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2004.07.001. · DOI
- Stern, P.C., 2000. Toward a coherent theory of environmentally significant behavior 56 (3), 407-424.
- Stern, P.C., Dietz, T., Abel, T., Guagnano, G.A., Kalof, L., 1999. A value-belief-norm theory of support for social movements: the case of environmentalism. Human Ecol. Rev. 6 (2), 81-97.
- Turrentine, T.S., Kurani, K.S., 2007. Car buyers and fuel economy? Energy Policy 35 (2), 1213-1223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2006.03.005. · DOI
- Watson, L., Spence, M.T., 2007. Causes and consequences of emotions on consumer behaviour: a review and integrative cognitive appraisal theory. Eur. J. Mark. 41 (5/6), 487-511. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03090560710737570. · DOI
- Zhang, Y., Yu, Y., Zou, B., 2011. Analyzing public awareness and acceptance of alternative fuel vehicles in China: the case of EV. Energy Policy 39 (11), 7015- 7024. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.07.055. · DOI
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Garrow, L. A., German, B. J., & Leonard, C. E. (2021) · Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies · doi:10.1016/j.trc.2021.103377 · Cited by 488 · see citing works
Adoption barriers for electric vehicles: Experiences from early adopters in Sweden
Vassileva, I., & Campillo, J. (2017) · Energy · doi:10.1016/j.energy.2016.11.119 · Cited by 274 · see citing works
Noel, L., Zarazua de Rubens, G., Kester, J., & Sovacool, B. K. (2020) · Energy Policy · doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111292 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
Accelerating electric vehicle uptake: Modelling public policy options on prices and infrastructure
Broadbent, G. H., Allen, C. I., Wiedmann, T., & Metternicht, G. I. (2022) · Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice · doi:10.1016/j.tra.2022.05.012 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Al-Buenain, A., Al-Muhannadi, S., Falamarzi, M., Kutty, A. A., Kucukvar, M., & Onat, N. C. (2021) · Vehicles · doi:10.3390/vehicles3030037 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Rajiani, I., & Kot, S. (2018) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su10061772 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
- Authors
- Rezvani, Z., Jansson, J., & Bodin, J.
- Affiliations
- Umeå University (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Rezvani, Zeinab
- Venue
- Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-01
- Volume
- 34
- Pages
- 122-136
- ISSN
- 1361-9209 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2064218820
- Cited by
- 1,301
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 162 · 2025: 151 · 2024: 141 · 2023: 115 · 2022: 155 · 2021: 163 · 2020: 116 · 2019: 109 · 2018: 94 · 2017: 57 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 7
- FWCI
- 16.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Transportation Research Part D Transport and Environment (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Qucosa (Saxon State and University Library Dresden) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Funders
- Energimyndigheten
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
- Keywords
- electric vehicle adoption, consumer perception, plug-in electric vehicles, adoption factors, barriers to adoption, consumer intention, adoption behavior, light-duty vehicles, research agenda
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review