Understanding the adoption of Hybrid Electric Vehicles; A case study of Lahore

Abstract

Environmental degradation and climate change has become an alarming issue in the city of Lahore, which is being contributed by the emissions from fuel operated vehicles in the city. Thus, to encourage pro-environmental travel behavior, electrification of vehicles has become essential, so that the amount of green house gases that emit due to the burning of fuel from conventional motor vehicles, will be decreased. Thus, this research study aims to explore the factors that affect the willingness of public to shift from traditional fuel operated vehicles to the Hybrid Electric Vehicles or Electric Vehicles by applying extended Valence theory framework and also to analyze the people perception on opting the HEVs/EVs. HEVs generate power for vehicle propulsion utilizing a mix of internal combustion engine and battery pack. A joint two stage reflective-formative second-order model was designed by structural equation modeling (SEM) technique through Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) software. The findings of the study came out to be that the positive activation (including environmental awareness, environmental concerns and perceived economic benefits), negative activation (including perceived risk and perceived complexity), mass media influence and personal innovativeness are the drivers of public readiness to adopt HEVs/EVs in Lahore, Pakistan. From this study, it is concluded that people are conscious for the impacts of pollution on their health and environment but they have not enough information regarding what Hybrid Electric Vehicles or Electric vehicles are, and for what purpose they are made and how they can reduce the impacts on climate change. However, people can be convinced to buy and opt HEV/EVs though mass media by making people aware of the new and advanced technologies which are beneficial for the environment and reducing the complexities like making more availability of filling stations and repair shops of HEV, designing and enforcement of HEV infrastructure ix development plans, so that the people will take interest and will be willing to adopt new technologies. The results of this research can be utilized by urban transportation policymakers to create carbon free transportation system by using this data and ensuring the introduction and public adoptability of HEV/EVs in the city of Lahore.