Nizam Ahmat, Mohd Nasir Nawawi, Roseliza Mat Alipiah, Jumadil Saputra, Muhammad Najit Sukemi
Electric vehicles (EVs) signify a shift from traditional fossil fuel-burning vehicles and were introduced to address consumers’ dependence on fossil fuels, rising emission levels, and other environmental issues. This study empirically analyses the key determinants of consumer behavior regarding environmental air quality issues and vehicle characteristics, which significantly influence the preference for EVs. The current work was conducted in the suburbs of the East Coast of Malaysia, specifically in the Kuala Nerus district of Terengganu. Notably, 220 respondents selected their preferred vehicle type in February 2021. The survey data were elicited using an experiment card. Prices, charging time, and the level of CO2 emission reduction were found to be the primary catalysts for consumers’ preference for EVs over conventional vehicles (petrol combustion) in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, based on the multinomial logit model. Furthermore, gender status and increased level of income and education were identified as demographic factors with a high probability (positive sign and significant at 5%) for the respondents’ EV adoption and choice in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Relevant authorities should implement appropriate measures to increase EV consumption and energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel energy dependence in the Malaysian automotive industry. © 2025 The authors. This article is published by IIETA and is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license
Department of Economics, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, 21030, Malaysia; Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Bantul, 55183, Indonesia; Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Dian Nusantara, Jakarta Barat, 11470, Indonesia; Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Teuku Umar, Aceh Barat, 23681, Indonesia; Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia, Bandung, 40285, Indonesia
