The impact of age on Italian consumers' attitude toward alternative fuel vehicles. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andriosopoulos, Kostas; Bigerna, Simona; Bollino, Carlo Andrea; Micheli, Silvia
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 119(2018)
• Page Start: 299
• Page End: 308
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Alternative fuel vehicles -- Consumers' attitudes -- Age differences; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.11.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Addressing environmental problems requires large-scale transition efforts in the transport sector. Many governments, encouraging sustainable mobility, see alternative fuel vehicles as an important part of a technology portfolio targeted at reducing polluting emissions. However, consumers' adoption of alternative fuel vehicles is hindered by complex technical and socio-economic aspects. The novelty of this study is to explicitly explore the impact of age on consumers' attitudes towards alternative fuel vehicles with an original questionnaire survey, targeting a sample of high-educated Italian consumers. We identify the main concerns related to alternative fuel vehicles and suggest measures to overcome these concerns. A better understanding of the effects of different ages on attitude processes is crucial for designing more effective private and public strategies for alternative fuel vehicles' development across a variety of consumers. Highlights: A survey of different age consumers' perceptions of alternative fuel vehicles. Simultaneous elicitation of two heterogeneous sample responses. Faculty members value climate change mitigation more than students. Policy implications: promote students' knowledge of alternative fuel vehicles.