DETERMINANTS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION: A PRISMA-BASED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS AND BEHAVIOURAL INTENTIONS IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/ShodhPrabandhan.v3.i2.2026.106Keywords:
Electric Vehicle Adoption, Consumer Perception, Behavioural Intention, Charging Infrastructure, Policy Incentives, Systematic Review, Prisma, India, PunjabAbstract
Purpose: Despite the bold EV penetration targets set in India and in the state of Punjab, and significant fiscal and infrastructural incentives provided for the adoption of EVs, the actual uptake of EVs does not match the policies. This study aims to integrate the existing, disparate findings from the empirical literature on the determinants affecting consumer perceptions, attitudes, behavioural intentions and actual EV adoption, and identify a research agenda, particularly in the Indian and Punjab context.
Design/Methodology/Approach: 1,229 records were retrieved after performing a structured search in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar (2009–2025) and supplemented by using reference chaining, following the PRISMA 2020 protocol. Following the removal of duplicates, title/abstract screening and assessment of full text for eligibility, 20 studies were selected for thematic synthesis of their qualitative results. The study context, design, determinant–outcome associations reported in the study, and sample were identified and extracted, and evidence was synthesized with the five behavioural theories (TPB, TAM, DOI, VBN and the S–O–R framework).
Findings: Charging infrastructure, perceived/upfront cost and environmental concern were the most commonly reported determinants while social influence, technological convenience, and range anxiety were reported next. Government incentives and policy were a recurring moderator of the intention–adoption relationship and were not a direct cause. The synthesis verifies a long-standing finding of intention–action gaps (positive attitudes and intentions do not always lead to actual purchase), and most evidence from India is based on convenience, small, urban samples, that lack the heterogeneity found across regions and demographics.
Originality/Value: The review combines determinant-level evidence in an attitude–intention–adoption relationship moderated by policy and provides a unified conceptualization and prioritized policy research agenda for EV markets in emerging economies based on theory, longitudinal, and regionally representative approaches.
References
Adhikari, M., Ghimire, L. P., Kim, Y., Aryal, P., and Khadka, S. B. (2020). Identification and Analysis of Barriers Against Electric Vehicle Use. Sustainability, 12(12), 4850. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124850
Ahamed, I. (2024). Assessing Consumer Perceptions of Electric Vehicles in India Through the Theory of Planned Behavior. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(7), 1260–1266.
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Ali, I., and Naushad, M. (2022). A study to Investigate What Tempts Consumers to Adopt Electric Vehicles. World Electric Vehicle Journal, 13(2), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj13020026
Bindhya, et al. (2025). Electrifying the Road: A Comprehensive Analysis of Factors Influencing Consumer Adoption of Electric Vehicles. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 15(1), 558–570. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.17036
Buekers, J., Van Holderbeke, M., Bierkens, J., and Panis, L. I. (2014). Health and Environmental Benefits Related to Electric Vehicle Introduction in EU27. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 33, 26–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2014.09.002
Chandel, A. (2023). Unearthing the Factors Behind Adoption of Electric Cars. Indian Journal of Marketing, 53(4), 51–62. https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2023/v53/i9/173141
Council on Energy, Environment and Water. (2023). FAME Policy for Electric Vehicles | GFC Explains.
Das, A., and Sharma, S. K. (2025). Electric Vehicle Adoption in India: A Decade of Research Trends and Insights Through Bibliometric Analysis. Journal of Asia Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, 21(3), 106–125. https://doi.org/10.53555/jaes.v21i3.68
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
EV India. (2025). Punjab Government Approved a New EV policy, Tax Waivers and More.
Egbue, O., and Long, S. (2012). Barriers to Widespread Adoption of Electric Vehicles: An Analysis of Consumer Attitudes and Perceptions. Energy Policy, 48, 717–729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.06.009
George, A., and Sureshkumar, A. (2024). Customer Perceptions and Adoption Barriers of Electric Vehicles. International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, 10(2), 42–48.
Government of Punjab. (2022). Punjab State Electric Vehicle Policy.
Hasan, F. (2022). Environmental Concern and Price Value in Electric Vehicle Adoption. Luminous Insights, 2(4).
Haustein, S. (2018). Factors of Electric Vehicle Adoption. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 65, 475–488.
International Energy Agency. (2024). Global EV Outlook 2024.
Jain, N. (2022). Adoption of Electric Vehicles: Policies, Adoption and Importance. International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 8(2).
Jung, F., et al. (2023). Exponential Adoption of Battery Electric Cars. Nature Communications, 14, Article 5554. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41140-x
Kaur Channi, H. (2025). Electric Vehicle Status in Ludhiana. PriMera Scientific Publications, 6(2).
Kaur, H., and Singh, S. (2024). A Study on the Adoption of Electric Vehicle—A Step Towards Sustainability in Punjab. Indian Economic Journal, 17(5), 18–30.
Mehrabian, A., and Russell, J. A. (1974). An Approach to Environmental Psychology. MIT Press.
Mercom India. (2022). Punjab aims 25% EV Registrations by 2027, Incentivizes Giga Battery Manufacturing.
Mishra, P., Chandel, A., and Vij, R. (2024). Is India Ready for All Electric Vehicles Fleet By 2030: A Study of Consumer Preference and Acceptance. Journal Press India, 5(Special Issue), 138–156.
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., and The PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. BMJ, 339, b2535. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2535
NITI Aayog, and Rocky Mountain Institute. (2019). India's Electric Mobility Transformation: Progress to Date and Future Opportunities. Press Information Bureau.
NITI Aayog. (2024). Electric Vehicles in India: Adoption and Forward Trajectory. Government of India.
Nazari, F., Mohammadian, A., and Stephens, T. (2023). Exploring the Role of Perceived Range Anxiety in Adoption Behavior of Plug-in Electric Vehicles. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 12(4), 770–780.
Nazneen, A., and Haseeb, S. A. (2019). A Study of Consumer Perception and Purchase Intention of Electric Vehicles. International Journal of Research Thoughts, 12(4), 720–728.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 Statement: An Updated Guideline for Reporting Systematic Reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Pamidimukkala, A., Kermanshachi, S., Rosenberger, J. M., and Hladik, G. (2024). Adoption of Electric Vehicles: An Empirical Study of Consumers' Intentions. Transport Economics and Management, 2, 359–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.team.2024.11.001
Rezvani, Z., Jansson, J., and Bengtsson, M. (2018). The Interaction of Gain, Normative and Hedonic Motivations in Consumer Electric Vehicle Adoption Intentions. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 62, 253–270.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Singh, J., and Arneja, R. S. (2022). Consumer Perception and Adoption of Electric Vehicles: A Study in the Indian State of Punjab. TIJER: The International Journal of Engineering and Research, 10(2).
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature Review as a Research Methodology: An Overview and Guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Sovacool, B. K., and Hirsh, R. F. (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(3), 1095–1103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2008.10.005
Stern, P. C., Dietz, T., Abel, T., Guagnano, G. A., and Kalof, L. (1999). A Value-Belief-Norm Theory of Support for Social Movements: The Case of Environmentalism. Human Ecology Review, 6(2), 81–97.
Suchithra, V. G., Prajwal, V., and Hussain, A. (2025). A Study on Consumer Perception and Adoption of Electric Vehicle: A Behavioural Study. Scientia: Technology, Science and Society, 2(3), 74–79. https://doi.org/10.59324/stss.2025.2(3).08
Sweeney, J. C., and Soutar, G. N. (2001). Consumer Perceived Value: The Development of a Multiple Item Scale. Journal of Retailing, 77(2), 203–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(01)00041-0
Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., and Smart, P. (2003). Towards a Methodology for Developing Evidence-Informed Management Knowledge By Means of Systematic Review. British Journal of Management, 14(3), 207–222. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.00375
YoCharge. (2023). Punjab Electric Vehicle Policy (PEVP) 2022.
Zeithaml, V. A. (1988). Consumer Perceptions of Price, Quality, and Value: A Means-End Model and Synthesis of Evidence. Journal of Marketing, 52(3), 2–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224298805200302
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rupinder Kaur, Dr. Tavneet K Reen (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
With the licence CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download, reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work must be properly attributed to its author.
It is not necessary to ask for further permission from the author or journal board.
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.



















