Exploring Factors Affecting People’s Acceptance of Connected Vehicle Technology in China

Connected vehicles (CVs) leverage the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) function to interact with various mobility systems. In China, regulations mandate that CVs must possess automatic recording capabilities as stipulated by the “Management Specification for Road Tests of Intelligent CVs.” Yet, public perception of these functionalities and their impact on the acceptance of V2X technology remains unclear. This study explores the acceptance of V2X in China by augmenting the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. Utilizing a survey of 567 Chinese drivers, we employed structural equation modeling (SEM) and Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) analysis to dissect the factors influencing the behavioral intention (BI) to use V2X. Our findings reveal that social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FC), and effort expectancy (EE) significantly predict the intention to adopt V2X. Interestingly, while trust (T) does not exert a direct influence, its overall effect on BI surpasses those of the previously mentioned factors. Moreover, the MIMIC models highlight that individuals’ understanding of V2X significantly shapes their acceptance attitudes. These insights underscore the importance of enhancing T, particularly in the data security aspects of V2X, to bolster its acceptance in China. By addressing these concerns, stakeholders can pave the way for wider adoption of this pivotal technology.