EVs Anybody?
What over 3,300 interviews revealed about people’s EV perceptions.
The 2000% increase in the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) recorded (MoRTH) over the last 7 years indicates that EVs are here to stay. This is a welcome sign, considering the important role that EVs can play in reducing fossil-fuel use in the automobile industry. The growth of EVs has been influenced by various factors, from strategic government incentives to increasing fuel costs. To leverage this growth, CSTEP undertook a study to understand people’s perceptions of EVs and the factors that led to EV uptake in four different cities in India.
The lessons from the study were published in the report EV Perceptions and Usage Patterns. The study found that social influence is a major factor in an individual’s decision to purchase an EV. More than half the population who were interviewed were willing to shift from internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs in the next 5 years. Environmentally conscious young educated adults with a monthly income of INR 20,000 to 50,000 showed a greater willingness to shift to EVs. Other factors such as the availability of the FAME subsidy, exemptions to road tax, and the location of charging stations also contributed to the decision-making.
The interviews focused on the residents of Surat, Kolkata, Coimbatore, and Pune. The lessons from the study can be used to shape state- and national-level policies on EVs.
