Deciphering the factors associated with adoption of alternative fuel vehicles in California: An investigation of latent attitudes, socio-demographics, and neighborhood effects. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iogansen, Xiatian; Wang, Kailai; Bunch, David; Matson, Grant; Circella, Giovanni
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 168(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Vehicle fuel type choice -- Alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) -- Integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model -- Adoption behavior modeling -- California; ACS American Community Survey -- AFV alternative fuel vehicle -- ASC alternative specific constant -- BEV battery electric vehicle -- DCM discrete choice models -- DOE Department of Energy -- EFA exploratory factor analysis -- EVSE electric vehicle supply equipment -- FFV flexible fuel vehicle -- FCEV fuel cell electric vehicle -- GHG greenhouse gas -- HCM hybrid choice model -- HEV hybrid electric vehicle -- ICEV internal combustion engine vehicle -- ICLV integrated choice & latent variable -- MTC Metropolitan Transportation Commission -- NGV natural gas vehicle -- PEV plug-in electric vehicles -- PHEV plug-in hybrid electric vehicle -- SACOG Sacramento Area Council of Governments -- SANDAG San Diego Association of Governments -- SCAG Southern California Council of Governments -- SDB social desirability bias -- US United States -- ZEV zero-emission vehicle; Transportation -- Research -- Periodicals; 388.011
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2022.10.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-8564

Abstract

Abstract: Promoting the use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) has become a long-term transportation strategy in California, which can bring a broad range of social, economic, and environmental benefits. Based on a sample of 3260 California residents from the 2018 California Panel Survey, this study explores the impacts of latent attitudes, socio-demographic characteristics, and neighborhood effects on consumers' current vehicle fuel type choice and their interest in purchasing or leasing an AFV in the future . One joint integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model is estimated to understand the taste heterogeneity within different population segments. The results suggest that latent attitudes towards environment, new technologies, car-utilitarianism, and residential location preference play critical roles in individuals' adopting new vehicle technologies. A range of socio-demographics, including age, race, gender, student status, education level, income level, household size, housing tenure, housing type and residential parking also make effects. Exposure to BEVs in both residential location and worksite has positive influence on AFV adoption, although public EV charging stations were not found to be essential factors since our respondents may mainly rely on home chargers. Moreover, the study suggests that individual's current user experience with AFVs has positive effect on their future interest in AFV. Overall, we predict the maximum market penetration of AFVs could be 41% of adult population. The findings offer detailed guidance on crafting California's transport policy to promote AFV, regarding the heterogeneity of the population's preferences and attitudes.