Drivers and barriers of electric vehicle usage in Malaysia: A DEMATEL approach

Today's societies consider the transportation sector as a key component of the economy that contributes significantly to sustainability and global economic development. However, the challenges resulting from transportation are expected to increase more seriously in the years to come in light of socioeconomic growth and increasing living standards. One of the most unfavorable outcomes of the transportation industries is climate change, which necessitates sustainable strategies to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses. Although the use of electric vehicles (EVs) has obvious social advantages, including improvements to air quality along with beneficial effects of reducing CO2 emissions, EVs are being adopted quite slowly as a clean and green alternative form of transportation in Malaysia. Therefore, the present study has focused on the factors which affect consumers' intention to use EVs in the Malaysian context. An extensive review of previous studies was carried out to identify the determinants of adopting EVs in the prior literature. The survey questionnaire was designed with reference to the decision-making trials alongside the Decision-Making Trials and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method, after which questionnaires were distributed to Malaysian consumers of EVs. According to the results of the data analysis, environmental concern, trust in EVs, personal norms, price value, attitudes regarding EVs, and subjective norms are the most important factors influencing the adoption of EVs in the Malaysian context. The findings of the study provide directions for policymakers and automotive manufacturers.

Automated summary

The study highlights that environmental concern, trust in EVs, personal norms, price value, attitudes towards EVs, and subjective norms are the most important factors influencing the adoption of EVs by consumers in Malaysia.