Assessments of social factors responsible for adoption of electric vehicles in India: a case study

Abstract

Purpose

Environmental crisis and energy security concerns forced researchers, environmentalists and industrialists to look for a cleaner mode of transportation. Rigorous efforts have been made to make electric vehicles (EVs) feasible for commercial use. However, despite of many efforts by the Government of India, the rate of adoption of EVs in India has not been up to the mark. To bridge this gap, present study understands the social acceptability and sustainability of EVs and identifies the social factors, builds inferences from the results obtained and helps in orienting the manufacturers and decision makers towards faster adoption of the EVs.

Design/methodology/approach

The social factors responsible for the growth of EVs in India are identified by literature survey. A questionnaire has been developed for understanding the customer’s perception towards EVs. The results of the survey are analysed using the tools on descriptive statistics, structural equation model using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and hypothesis testing and the results are validated.

Findings

The results of the study are based on three hypotheses. The findings show that although the financial and the infrastructure factors have positive impact on rate of adoption of EVs in India; the vehicle performance factors have a negative impact on EVs adoption, implying that the respondents of the survey who feel that the vehicle performance factors are the most imperative have a more passive mind-set towards the EVs adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The research work is based on the survey conducted on the pilot region of the national capital region of the country where the majority of the respondents of the survey are conventional fossil fuel vehicles (CFFV) owners. A more accurate analysis on the social factors affecting deployment of EVs in the Indian market can be done if the population of the survey consists of equal share of CFFV and EV owners from all across the nation.

Practical implications

This study will help researchers get a better understanding of the reasons for slow adoption rate of EVs in India. This paper sheds light upon the social factors responsible for the same. The Government of India can use the results of this study to understand the factors responsible for non-adoption and the recommendations for its further work on “Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles” India scheme.

Social implications

Results of the study identifies the factors that slow down the adoption rate of EVs in India. The paper suggested potential solutions for the same. Successful implementation in terms of policies and technological advancements can propel India to the top in EV market. Switching to EVs brings about a radical change in the social life of the people and can improve the social status and lifestyle of the people.

Originality/value

Existing research has not focussed much on the social aspects of EVs in India. The present work is solely the result of the strategic thinking, planning, work and implementation by the authors.

Citation

Digalwar, A.K. and Rastogi, A. (2023), "Assessments of social factors responsible for adoption of electric vehicles in India: a case study", International Journal of Energy Sector Management, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 251-264. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-06-2021-0009