IS INDIA READY FOR ELECTROMOBILITY? A STUDY TO UNDERSTAND THE INTENTION TO PURCHASE ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Abstract

The automotive sector contributes significantly to emissions and environmental issues. In an effort to address these problems, electric vehicles (EVs) have been introduced as an alternative to conventional vehicles. EVs utilize electricity stored within the batteries to power their electric motors, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions and CO₂. As the usage of EVs continues to grow in Indian cities, it is essential to understand customer attitudes and acceptance towards these eco-friendly vehicles. The purpose of this study is to examine the various factors that influence Indian customers' willingness to adopt EVs in order to gain an improved comprehension of the Indian EV market. This study is structured into five main sections. Firstly, the introduction highlights the current scenario of EV adoption in India. Secondly, a comprehensive overview of the literature is presented to identify significant concepts and gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the research area. Thirdly, the research methodology is described, which involves a descriptive research design supported by a cross-sectional configuration. Fourthly, the data collected from a survey is analyzed using IBM SPSS to identify patterns between variables. The study revealed the impact of technology, social influence, economic/price benefit, government incentives, environmental concern, infrastructure accessibility, and attitude towards intention to adopt EVs with attitude having a mediating role to some extent. Finally, the study is concluded with recommendations and conclusions drawn from the findings obtained through data analysis, which can aid policymakers and stakeholders in promoting EV adoption in India. The Indian market is still in the early stages of incorporating EVs, and there have been only a few studies conducted on Indian customers to comprehend their inclination toward adopting this new technology. This study aims to bridge this gap by identifying the critical factors that influence customer adoption intentions for EVs.