Consumer Knowledge about Electric Buses in Underserved Communities in Huntsville, Alabama

Abstract

The major offshoot of innovation of electric vehicles (EVs) is sustainability. Given the prevailing challenges of carbon emissions from automobiles and the consequent effects on climate change, the introduction of EVs is timely to serve as an effective mechanism for reversing global warming. However, knowledge of EVs is not well distributed among the general population. This study is therefore aimed to analyze the familiarity of Americans with the basic features of EVs. One hundred respondents were selected from two underserved communities in Huntsville, Alabama, using a simple sampling technique. Nonetheless, only 71 residents returned the filled questionnaires. Data were analyzed using frequency counts and descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that the respondents were generally aware of EVs, but EVs are not yet common on their roads. The respondents also signaled low preferences for EVs. The purchase price, charging stations, and limited supply are the candid explanations for why EVs are not a priority in the respondents' choice of cars. To bolster peoples' taste toward EVs, the study, therefore, concludes that government authorities and city planners should popularize incentives among the people in underserved communities.