Investigating the behavioural intention towards electric vehicle: A dual factor approach using Sweeney and Soutar’s PERVAL scale and technology acceptance model

Abstract

Promotion of electric vehicle (EV) remains an appropriate solution to alleviate the adversities of environmental pollution caused by the increasing use of internal combustion engine vehicles for transportation. Further, it remains a grave need to promote electric vehicles, as road transport accounts to 12% of carbon emissions. Therefore, institutions and researchers make multiple initiatives and efforts to transform the society in adopting electric vehicles. However, the market for electric vehicles falls short of government’s intent to ensure 100 percent EVs on Indian roads before 2030. In view of this backdrop, as EV is in a nascent stage this research adopted Sweeney and Soutar’s PERVAL scale and technology acceptance model to understand the role of perceived values that can develop behavioural intention towards electric vehicle. Using non-probability sampling procedure data was collected from 337 electric vehicle users in India. Data was analysed using co-variance based Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach to examine the direct relationships between independent and dependent variables. Additionally, using SEM approach the indirect relationships were examined using bootstrap samples, and regression was performed to test the moderation effect. The findings reveal that perceived ecological, functional, and economic values positively influenced perceived usefulness that finally contributes the behavioural intention towards electric vehicles. Personal innovativeness positively moderated the relation between perceived usefulness and perceived trust. In addition, perceived trust mediated the relationship between perceived usefulness and behavioural intention towards electric vehicle. The study conclusions will contribute to the electric vehicle literature, the knowledge towards electric vehicle acceptance and provide meaningful implications for practitioners. Accordingly, perceived values positively contributed to the electric vehicle literature and to the marketers and society.