Cited by 1,301Electric Vehicles and InfrastructureSocial Acceptance of Renewable EnergyTechnology Adoption and User Behaviour

Advances in consumer electric vehicle adoption research: a review and research agenda

Open access
Rezvani, Zeinab, Jansson, Johan, Bodin, Jan·2015·Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment

Abstract

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.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.trd.2014.10.010

Cites

5 of 5 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

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?

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

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 56

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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.
  16. Giddens, A., 1991. Modernity and Self-Identity. Stanford University Press, Stanford.
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. 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
  31. 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
  32. Moons, I., De Pelsmacker, P., 2012. Emotions as determinants of electric car usage intention. J. Mark. Manage. 28 (3-4), 195-237.
  33. 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
  34. 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
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. 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
  38. 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
  39. 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
  40. 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
  41. Richins, M.L., 1997. Measuring emotions in consumption experience. J. Consum. Res. 24 (2), 127-146.
  42. Rogers, E.M., 2003. Diffusion of Innovations, fifth ed. Free Press, New York.
  43. Saussure, F., 1965. Course in General Linguistics. McGraw Hill, New York.
  44. 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
  45. Schwartz, S.H., 1977. Normative influences on altruism. In: Berkowitz, L. (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, vol. 10. Academic Press, New York.
  46. 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
  47. 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
  48. 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
  49. 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
  50. 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
  51. 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
  52. Stern, P.C., 2000. Toward a coherent theory of environmentally significant behavior 56 (3), 407-424.
  53. 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.
  54. 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
  55. 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
  56. 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

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
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