Methodological approach to obtain key attributes affecting the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2024

The present study demonstrates a methodological approach to prioritize a key set of attributes influencing consumer perception towards Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in a typical Indian context. Based on the literature search, an exclusive set of 22 attributes influencing PHEV adoption were selected and conventional car owners' perception towards these attributes were collected from two Indian megacities, namely Delhi and Kolkata. Initially, Kruskal-Wallis H-test was used to investigate heterogeneity in consumer perception towards PHEV-related attributes across different population subgroups. The heterogeneity study revealed a significant difference in perception for several attributes across the two cities. Subsequently, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to identify a set of latent factors influencing PHEV choice for both cities. For ranking of attributes within each latent factor, Grey Relation Analysis (GRA), was employed. Based on the EFA and GRA results, purchase cost, safety, air conditioning, battery warranty, public charging availability, battery recharging time, and tailpipe emission are identified as key attributes affecting PHEV adoption. Such findings could guide the car manufacturers and the government to lay an added emphasis on the priority attributes to enhance the appeal of PHEV as a mode among Indian consumers.