A comparative study of motivations driving EV purchases in different-tier Chinese cities

Prevailing literature has largely focused on the motivations driving electric vehicle (EV) purchase intention instead of actual purchase behaviour, with a predominant emphasis on consumers in more developed cities. However, these insights may not be applicable to consumers in less developed ones and do not account for the intention-behaviour gap. Aiming to understand the motivations for actual purchase behaviour, a questionnaire was sent to both existing EV owners and potential consumers in different-tier Chinese cities. Results indicate regional variations in the motivations for purchasing EVs and reveal the presence of the intention-behaviour gap. Specifically, consumers in high-tier cities (first-tier and second-tier cities) are mostly driven by social norms but restricted by reduction in expenditure; consumers in low-tier cities (third-tier cities and below) are driven by technological interests. Environmental protection, privilege, and convenience may increase the purchase intention, but do not directly lead to purchase behaviour. This study will help governments and manufacturers to focus on the intention–behaviour gap and the different motivations in various target markets to introduce more practical policies and more effective marketing strategies.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2023.103993
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1361920923003905
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13619209
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Dai, Guanyu
  • Yang, Shu
• Publication Date: 2024-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 103993
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
  • Volume: 126
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1361-9209
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Consumer preferences; Electric vehicles; Motivation; Purchasing
• Geographic Terms: China
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01902856
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 20 2023 3:43PM