Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Identifying and bridging the attitude-behavior gap in sustainable transportation adoption

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Future of the automobile industry in such testing times of global climate change, ever-increasing pollution/carbon emission levels and depleting natural resources, rests in the electrification of the vehicles. The situation in developing countries like India with political and demographical challenges adding to such global crisis raises the concern of sustainable development in the transportation system by manifolds. Electric vehicles (EV) though come across as a rescue towards mitigating this risk of natural disaster, but several barriers are still to be analyzed between EV adoption and consumers’ expectations to leverage this opportunity fully. Although, the literature suggests that consumers today show their concern about the environmental and social performance of products, however, this concern may not necessarily translate to them buying the products. Focusing on this gap, the study proposes an intuitionistic fuzzy set with decision making trial and evaluation laboratory based barrier analysis to identify and analyze real barriers to EV adoption in Indian consumers’ context. Research outcomes are quite intriguing with issues as unique and specific to India like power availability in the country, vehicles’ battery life and most common issue across the globe, lack of charging infrastructure evolving out as the three most pertinent barriers to EV adoption. Results of the present study can surely provide for theoretical support to both the public and private sector in framing their policies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acker RH, Kammen DM (1996) The quiet (energy) revolution. Energy Policy 24:81–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Afdc.energy.gov (2016). https://www.afdc.energy.gov/uploads/publication/federal_wpc_case_study.pdf. Accessed 04 Apr 2017

  • Aggarwal P, Cha T, Wilemon D (1998) Barriers to the adoption of really-new products and the role of surrogate buyers. J Consum Market 15:358–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altuntas S, Dereli T (2015) A novel approach based on the DEMATEL method and patent citation analysis for prioritizing a portfolio of investment projects. Expert Syst Appl 42:1003–1012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amiri M, Sadaghiyani J, Payani, N, Shafieezadeh M (2011) Developing a DEMATEL method to prioritize distribution centers in supply chain. Manag Sci Lett 1(3):279–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atanassov K (1986) Intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Fuzzy Sets Syst 20:87–96

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Axsen J, Kurani SK (2013) Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric—what do car buyers want? Energy Policy 61:532–543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Axsen J, Mountain DC, Jaccard M (2009) Combining stated and revealed choice research to simulate the neighbor effect: the case of hybrid-electric vehicles. Resour Energy Econ 31:221–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bansal A, Kumar P, Issar S (2014) Evaluation of a 3PL company: an approach of fuzzy modeling. Int J Adv Oper Manag 6:131–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellis M (2016) About.com money. https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/06/about-com-launches-the-balance-a-personal-finance-website-for-everyone/. Accessed 10 Dec 2016

  • Bellman RE, Zadeh LA (1970) Decision making in a fuzzy environment. J Manag Sci 17:141–164

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Bessenbach N, Wallrap S (2013) Why do consumers resist buying electric vehicles. An empirical study of innovation perception and the effect of consumer characteristics, innovation exposure and buying incentives. Copenhagen Business School

  • Brady J, O’Mahony M (2011) Travel to work in Dublin. The potential impacts of electric vehicles on climate change and urban air quality. Transp Res Part D Transp Environ 16:188–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown D, O’Mahony M, Caulfield B (2012) How should barriers to alternative fuels and vehicles be classified, and potential policies to promote innovative technologies be evaluated? J Clean Prod 35:140–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • California Environmental Protection Agency (2017) Factors affecting plug-in electric vehicle sales in California. https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/apr/past/13-303.pdf. Accessed 07 June 2017

  • Chang B, Chang CW, Wu CH (2011) Fuzzy DEMATEL method for developing supplier selection criteria. Expert Syst Appl 38:1850–1858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiu YJ, Chen HC, Tzeng GH, Shyu JZ (2006) Marketing strategy based on customer behavior for the LCD-TV. Int J Manag Decis Mak 7:143–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Datta S, Samanta C, Mahapatra SS, Mondal G, Chakraborty PS, Majumdar G (2013) Selection of internet assessment vendor using the TOPSIS method in a fuzzy environment. Int J Bus Perform Supply Chain Model 5:1–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Detcharat S, Pongpun A (2013) Using the DEMATEL method to analyze the causal relations on technological innovation capability evaluation factors in thai technology-based firms. Int Trans J Eng Manag Appl Sci Technol 4:81–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimitris P, Kanaroglou PS (2007) Household demand and willingness to pay for clean vehicles. Transp Res Part D Transp Environ 12:264–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dou Y, Sarkis J (2013) Multiple stakeholder perspectives on barriers to implementing China RoHS regulations. Resour Conserv Recycle 81:92–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enerdata (2015) CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. https://yearbook.enerdata.net/CO2-emissions-data-from-fuel-combustion.html. Accessed 30 Dec 2015

  • Eurostat (2015) Greenhouse gas emission statistics. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statisticsexplained/index.php/Greenhouse_gas_emission_statistics. Accessed 30 Dec 2015

  • Faisal F (2017) An analysis of electric vehicle trends in developed nations: a sustainable solution for India. J Undergrad Res Univ Ill Chicago. https://doi.org/10.5210/jur.v10i1.8014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falatoonitoosi E, Leman Z, Sorooshian S, Salimi M (2013) Decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory. Res J Appl Sci Eng Technol 5:3476–3480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fontela E, Gabus A (1976) The DEMATEL observer. DEMATEL 1976 report, Switzerland, Geneva: Battelle Geneva Research Center

  • Gabus A, Fontela E (1973) Perceptions of the world problematic: communication procedure, communicating with those bearing collective responsibility DEMATEL, report no. 1. Switzerland, Geneva: Battelle Geneva Research Centre

  • Gabus A, Fontela E, World Problems (1972) An invitation to further thought within the framework of DEMATEL. Battelle Geneva Research Centre, Switzerland, Geneva. https://www.scienceopen.com/document?vid=f6e5887c-7f0c-4303-8379-58fe891eeb03. Accessed 20 Mar 2018

  • Gallagher KS, Muehlegger E (2011) Giving green to get green? Incentives and consumer adoption of hybrid vehicle technology. J Environ Econ Manag 61:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Govindan K, Kannan D, Shankar KM (2014) Evaluating the drivers of corporate social responsibility in the mining industry with a multi-criteria approach: A multi-stakeholder perspective. J Clean Prod 84:214–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham-Rowe Ella et al (2012) Mainstream consumers driving plug-in battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars: a qualitative analysis of responses and evaluations”. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 46:140–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grzegrorzewski P (2003) The hamming distance between intuitionistic fuzzy sets. In: Proceedings of the 10th IFSA world congress, Istanbul, Turkey, pp 35–38

  • Hori S, Shimizu Y (1999) Designing methods of human interface for supervisory control systems. Control Eng Pract 7:1413–1419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Energy Agency (2016) U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/pdf/0484(2016).pdf. Accessed 20 Dec 2016

  • Islam AKMS, Islam M, Rahman T (2006) Effective renewable energy activities in Bangladesh. Renew Energy 31:677–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jalalifar S, Hafshejani KF, Movahedi MM (2013) Evaluation of the effective barriers in GSCM implementation using DEMATEL method. Nat Sci 11:95–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn ME (2007) Do greens drive hummers or hybrids? Environmental ideology as a determinant of consumer choice. J Environ Econ Manag 54:129–145

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Kannan G, Roohollah K, Vafadarnikjoo A (2015) Intuitionistic fuzzy based DEMATEL method for developing green practices and performances in a green supply chain. Expert Syst Appl 42:7207–7220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim S, Lee J, Lee C (2017) Does driving range of electric vehicles influence electric vehicle adoption? Sustainability 9:1783

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kjærland F (2007) A real options analysis of investments in hydropower—the case of Norway. Energy Policy 35:5901–5908

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurani KS, Turrentine TS, Heffner RR (2007) Narrative self-identity and societal goals: automotive fuel economy and global warming policy. In: Driving climate change. Academic Press, pp 217–238

  • Lane B, Potter S (2007) The adoption of cleaner vehicles in the UK: exploring the consumer attitude-action gap. J Clean Prod 15:1085–1092

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lebel L, Lorek S (2008) Enabling sustainable production–consumption systems. Annu Rev Environ Resour 33:241–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leire C, Thidell Å (2006) Product-related environmental information to guide consumer purchases—a review and analysis of research on perceptions, understanding, and use among Nordic consumers. J Clean Prod 13:1061–1070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Chen X (2015) Multi-attribute group decision making based on trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy information. Appl Soft Comput 30:454–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Hu Y, Zhang X, Deng Y, Mahadevan S (2014) An evidential DEMATEL method to identify critical success factors in emergency management. Appl Soft Comput 22:504–510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin RJ (2013) Using fuzzy DEMATEL to evaluate the green supply chain management practices. J Clean Prod 40:32–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin C-J, Wu W-W (2008) A causal analytical method for group decision-making under fuzzy environment. Expert Syst Appl 2008(34):205–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liou JJH, Tzeng G-H, Chang H-C (2007) Airline safety measurement using a hybrid model. Air Transp Manag 13:243–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu HW, Wang GJ (2007) Multi-criteria decision-making methods based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Eur J Oper Res 179:220–233

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lund H, Mathiesen BV (2009) Energy system analysis of 100% renewable energy systems—the case of Denmark in the years 2030 and 2050. Energy 34:524–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matulka R (2016) Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car. Accessed 10 Jan 2017

  • Moisander J (2007) Motivational complexity of green consumerism. Int J Consum Stud 4:404–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nehi HM, Maleki HR (2005) Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and its applications in the fuzzy optimization problem. In: Proceedings of the 9th WSEAS international conference on systems, Athens, Greece, pp 1–5

  • Nikjoo AV, Saeedpoor M (2014) An intuitionistic fuzzy DEMATEL methodology for prioritizing the components of the SWOT matrix in the Iranian insurance industry. Int J Oper Res 20:439–452

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver JD, Rosen DE (2010) Applying the environmental propensity framework: a segmented approach to hybrid electric vehicle marketing strategies. J Market Theory Pract 18:377–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pegels A (2009) Renewable energy in South Africa: potentials, barriers, and options for support. Energy Policy 38:4945–4954

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rex E, Baumann H (2007) Beyond ecolabels: what green marketing can learn from conventional marketing. J Clean Prod 15:567–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rokka J, Uusitalo L (2008) Preference for green packaging in consumer product choices—do consumers care? Int J Consum Stud 32:516–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Röös E, Tjärnemo H (2011) Challenges of carbon labeling of food products: a consumer research perspective. Br Food J 113:982–996

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sachdeva N, Singh O, Kapur PK, Galar D (2016) Multi-criteria intuitionistic fuzzy group decision analysis with TOPSIS method for selecting appropriate cloud solution to manage big data projects. Int J Syst Assur Eng Manag 7:316–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuitema G, Anable J, Skippon S, Kinnear N (2013) The role of instrumental, hedonic, and symbolic attributes in the intention to adopt electric vehicles. Transp Res A Policy Pract 48:39–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shu MS, Cheng CH, Chang JR (2006) Using intuitionistic fuzzy sets for fault tree analysis on printed circuit board assembly. Microelectron Reliab 46:2139–2148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silvester S et al (2013) Exploring design scenarios for large-scale implementation of electric vehicles; the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol case. J Clean Prod 48:211–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sovacool B, Hirsh R (2009) Beyond batteries: an examination of the benefits and barriers to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) transition. Energy Policy 37:1095–1103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Times of India (2015) India looks to put hybrid and electric vehicles on the fast track. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/auto/India-looks-to-put-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles-on-the-fast-track-in-2016/articleshow/50369896.cms. Accessed 18 Mar 2016

  • Tseng ML (2009a) A causal and affect decision-making model of service quality expectation using grey-fuzzy DEMATEL approach. Expert Syst Appl 36:7738–7748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tseng ML (2009b) Using the extension of DEMATEL to integrate hotel service quality perceptions into a cause-effect model in uncertainty. Expert Syst Appl 36:9015–9023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turrentine TS, Kurani SK (2007) Car buyers and fuel economy? Energy Policy 35:1213–1223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tzeng GH, Chiang CH, Li CW (2007) Evaluating intertwined effects in e-learning programs: a novel hybrid MCDM model based on factor analysis and DEMATEL. Expert Syst Appl 32:1028–1044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vermeir I, Verbeke W (2006) Sustainable food consumption: exploring the consumer attitude behavioral intention gap. J Agric Environ Ethics 19:169–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z, Li KW, Xu J (2011) A mathematical programming approach to multi-attribute decision making with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy assessment information. Expert Syst Appl 38:12462–12469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warfield JN (ed) (1976) Societal systems, planning, policy and complexity. Wiley, New York

  • Wirth H (2013) Recent facts about photovoltaics in Germany. Fraunhofer ISE. http://pschuetzenduebe.webclient5.de/wp-content/uploads/130912-Recent-Facts-PV-Germany.pdf. Accessed 01 Feb 2018

  • Wu WW, Lee YT (2007) Developing global managers’ competencies using the fuzzy DEMATEL method. Expert Syst Appl 32:499–507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu HH, Tsai YN (2011) A DEMATEL method to evaluate the causal relations among the criteria in the auto spare parts industry. Appl Math Comput 218:2334–2342

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu T (2012) The identification of potential consumers on domestic electric vehicles and the research of consumer behavior. Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Z, Liao H (2013) Intuitionistic fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. IEEE Trans Fuzzy Syst 22:749–761

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Z, Liao H (2015) A survey of approaches to decision making with intuitionistic fuzzy preference relations. Knowl Based Syst 80:131–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Z, Yager RR (2008) Dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attribute decision making. Int J Approx Reason 48:246–262

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Yang YP, Shieh HM, Leu JD, Tzeng GH (2008) A novel hybrid MCDM model combined with DEMATEL and ANP with applications. Int J Oper Res 5:160–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye F (2010) An extended TOPSIS method with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers for virtual enterprise partner selection. Expert Syst Appl 37:7050–7055

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ye J (2011) Expected value method for intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy multicriteria decision-making problems. Expert Syst Appl 38:11730–11734

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zadeh LA (1965) Fuzzy sets. Inf Control 8:338–353

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Yifeng Y, Zou B (2011) Analyzing public awareness and acceptance of alternative fuel vehicles in China: the case of EV. Energy Policy 39:7015–7024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Jin F, Liu P (2013) A grey relational projection method for multi-attribute decision making based on the intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy number. Appl Math Model 37:3467–3477

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Xie J, Rao R, Liang Y (2014) Policy incentives for the adoption of electric vehicles across countries. Sustainability 6:8056–8078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Q, Sarkis J, Lai K (2008) Green supply chain management implications for “closing the loop”. Transp Res Part E Logist Transp Rev 44:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Syed Waqar Haider.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Haider, S.W., Zhuang, G. & Ali, S. Identifying and bridging the attitude-behavior gap in sustainable transportation adoption. J Ambient Intell Human Comput 10, 3723–3738 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-019-01405-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-019-01405-z

Keywords

JEL Classification

Navigation