Abstract
Consumers are now considering electric vehicles (EV) as a quickly developing operational alternative to vehicles that run on fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG), due to the growing environmental concerns brought on by the depletion of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The investigation of probable elements influencing consumers' inclinations to adopt electric two-wheeler vehicle is the article's main goal. 365 individuals from Delhi NCR were surveyed online using the stratified sampling and cluster sampling technique to gather data using a quantitative approach. To identify the variables, an exploratory factor analysis—a potent statistical method—is performed using IBM SPSS 23. The study identified a few variables that affect the adoption of electric vehicles, including financial barriers, vehicle performance barriers, a lack of infrastructure for charging, environmental conservation, societal influences, and social awareness of electric vehicles.
TopIntroduction
Issues related to climate change and its effects have risen to the top of political agendas everywhere. One of the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, has had a tremendous impact on our environment, reducing water supplies, increasing coastal floods, and increasing famine. Consumers have been adopting green practises to improve air quality by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the growing awareness of environmental concerns considering climatic changes and global warming.
India is the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) after China and the United States, accounting for about 7% of global emissions. The country's emissions have been steadily increasing over the past few decades, largely due to its rapidly growing economy and population (Porter et al., 2019)). Private automobiles are responsible for about 12% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation industry as a whole is responsible for about 22% of the total GHG emissions. The number of initiatives being made to lower emissions from this industry is rapidly increasing (Moataz Mohamed et al., 2016). Due to resource scarcity and climate change, the automotive industry has started to re-evaluate traditional modes of transportation. The transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs) is one such measure that is gaining appeal among customers (Degirmenci & Breitner, 2017).
In most middle-income economies, EV adoption is still in its infancy (poor growth, minimal market share), except for China. Due to their limited purchasing capacity, lower-middle or low-income nations are typically characterised by a relatively high ownership of two-wheelers as personal vehicles rather than four-wheelers (Eccarius and Lu, 2020). India is the largest market for two-wheelers, accounting for more than 70% of all registered vehicles in 2013 (ibid). Asia has the highest concentration of motorised two-wheelers (more than 60% of all registered cars in 2010). Due to their substantial market share, two-wheelers contribute significantly to the overall emissions of the road transportation industry.
The resurgence of electric vehicles on the market is a result of factors like improved battery technology and government regulations to uphold standards for vehicle efficiency and air quality. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollution, and traffic noise pollution, electric vehicles are an important technology (Hawkins et al., 2012). Considering these advantages, nations all over the world are establishing targets for EV adoption (Coffman et al., 2016).
By switching to electricity instead of fossil fuels, EVs are reported to give significant environmental and financial benefits when compared to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) (Bauer et al., 2014). Electricity, a clean fuel, is employed as the vehicle's propulsion system in electric vehicles, and it drives a large battery. The EVs must be plugged into an electrical source to be recharged due to their limited energy storage capacity.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles are referred to as PHEVs. Both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor are present in these cars. They can be plugged in to charge the battery as well as extend the driving distance by using the internal combustion engine.
Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs): Vehicles using conventional internal combustion engines (ICEs), often running on petrol or diesel, are referred to as conventional vehicles.
Swappable Batteries: Electric vehicle batteries that can be quickly removed and replaced with fully charged ones are referred to as “swappable batteries.” This concept enables a speedy exchange and an increased driving range without the need for protracted charging times. This strategy attempts to reduce range anxiety and improve the practicality of using electric vehicles.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV): Battery electric vehicles are referred to as BEVs. It refers to an electric vehicle whose electric motor and propulsion system are powered exclusively by the energy stored in the battery pack.
Carbon Credit: The right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas is represented by a trading permit or certificate known as a carbon credit. By enabling businesses or individuals to buy or trade credits to make up for their own emissions, they are used to encourage and offset emissions.
Public Private Partnership (PPP): Public-Private Partnership is referred to as PPP. In order to jointly complete a project or deliver a service, a government or public agency enters into an agreement with a corporation or organisation from the private sector.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs): Original Equipment Manufacturers are known as OEMs. OEMs are businesses that design and produce cars or car parts in the automotive industry.
Decarbonization: It's the process of reducing or getting rid of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from a variety of industries, including transportation. It entails switching to energy sources and technologies with minimal or no emissions.
Electric Mobility: Electric mobility is the practise of using electric cars and associated infrastructure, such as charging stations, to provide transportation with lower carbon emissions.
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs): Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and cause global warming and climate change. Examples of GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE): This term describes a class of engine that generates power by burning fuel inside the engine. Examples of ICEs include traditional petrol and diesel engines.
Electrification: The process of switching out conventional fuel-based systems for electric power sources is referred to as electrification. It entails switching from internal combustion engines (ICEVs) to electric vehicles (EVs) in the transportation sector in order to reduce pollution.
Digitalisation: Digitalization is the term used to describe how many different industries are using digital systems and technologies more and more. Digital technology including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), networked automobile features, and autonomous driving capabilities are incorporated in the automotive industry.
Conventional Vehicles (CVs): Vehicles using conventional internal combustion engines (ICEs), often running on petrol or diesel, are referred to as conventional vehicles.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): These automobiles are propelled by electric motors that draw power from batteries or from an external source (such as recharge stations).
Zero-Emission Vehicle: A zero-emission vehicle is one that emits no tailpipe emissions while it is in operation. Automobiles with zero emissions include electric vehicles like battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEVs): A hybrid electric vehicle (hybrid EV) is any vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor or battery system. This can include hybrid cars, where the electric motor assists the engine, or hybrid plug-in cars, which can be charged externally.