Responses to battery electric vehicles: UK consumer attitudes and attributions of symbolic meaning following direct experience to reduce psychological distance

Fifty-eight peoples were given direct experience of driving a battery electric vehicle followed by an attitudinal questionnaire, and a vignette exercise to evaluate their attributions of symbolic meaning. Findings suggested that some consumers might start to consider electric vehicles as second cars if they had a range of 100 miles, and as main cars if they had a range of 150 miles. They may be willing to pay modest premiums over conventional vehicles, equivalent to around three years' running cost savings. Most would recharge at home overnight. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.