An Analysis of User Preferences of Value Attributes of Electric Vehicles in Underserved Communities

Abstract

One of the creative innovations of the twenty-first century is the electric vehicle (EV). Unlike mainstream internal combustion cars, EVs do not rely on fossil fuel products (especially gasoline) to function. EVs are thus environmentally viable, bolstering the sustainability efforts of governments and institutions. However, the diffusion rate of EVs has been slow, notably in the United States. This study is therefore aimed at examining the role of value attributes of EVs in determining their embrace among residents of two underserved communities in the U.S. In the context of a survey design, a questionnaire was administered to obtain perceptions of the respondents, and data were analyzed using frequency counts, rank index, descriptive statistics as well as t-test technique. Findings reveal that safety, comfort, purchase price, and charging stations are areas of concern on the priority value attributes that the respondents expect a given EV to possess. We, therefore, conclude that car manufacturers, transportation planners, and metropolitan authorities should consider these attributes in their quest to make EVs popular among the general population.