Acceptance of electric vehicles: A dual-factor approach using social comparison theory and technology acceptance model

This study intends to explore the acceptance of electric vehicles by adopting social comparison theory and Technology Acceptance Model. To fulfill the objectives of the study, 400 data were collected from a four-day auto expo event in India, and Structural Equation Modelling approach was used to analyze the data. The results show that informational influence, value-expressive influence, and product innovativeness showed a significant relationship with electric vehicle acceptance. Perceived usefulness signified a mediation effect on the relationships of informational influence, value-expressive influence, and product innovativeness with the electric vehicle acceptance. Further, positive moderation effect of age, income and gender was identified on the paths between perceived usefulness and electric vehicle acceptance. Holistically, the study produces significant contributions to the factors used in the study and the electric vehicle sector at large.