Factors Affecting Intention to Adopt Electric Vehicles in China

  • Authors

    • Jin Jing Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Malaysia
    • Lim Kim Yew Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Malaysia
    • Tan Owee Kowang Faculty of Management, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Baharu, Malaysia
    • Tee Poh Kiong Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, Taman Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
    • Yang Chen Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Malaysia
    https://doi.org/10.14419/xxwnnp46

    Received date: October 3, 2025

    Accepted date: November 25, 2025

    Published date: December 3, 2025

  • Intention to Adopt; Environmental Concer; Financial Incentive Policy; Perceived Risk

  • Abstract

    This study utilizes the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB) and Perceived Risk Theory frameworks to investigate the factors ‎affecting intention to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) of Chinese consumers. By incorporating environmental concern and financial incentive ‎policy as cognitive and policy predictors beyond traditional TPB variables, this research provides a comprehensive examination of EV (electric cars) adoption behavior while exploring the moderating function of perceived risk. This study seeks to examine the relationships be‎tween environmental concern, financial incentive policy, and intention to adopt EVs, as well as how perceived risk moderates these relationships. It makes a theoretical contribution by extending TPB with cognitive-environmental and external-policy dimensions and exploring complex interaction mechanisms in China's policy-oriented market. From the practical perspective, the study offers guidance for government ‎policy design and corporate marketing strategies in promoting sustainable transportation and renewable energy adoption. Many studies on ‎EV adoption rely on purely psychological models, while those incorporating cognitive environmental awareness and external-policy factors ‎in the Chinese context remain limited. The goal of this study is to address this knowledge void by providing a thorough understanding of ‎the multi-dimensional factors driving EV adoption decisions in China‎.

  • References

    1. Afroz, R., Rahman, A., Masud, M. M., Akhtar, R., & Duasa, J. B. (2015). How Individual Values and Attitude Influence Consumers’ Purchase Intention of Electric Vehicles—Some Insights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Environment and Urbanization ASIA, 6(2), 193–211. https://doi.org/10.1177/0975425315589160.
    2. 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.
    3. Bagozzi, R. P., & Dholakia, U. M. (2002). Intentional social action in virtual communities. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 16(2), 2–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/dir.10006.
    4. Bardus, M., & Massoud, M. A. (2022). Predicting the Intention to Sort Waste at Home in Rural Communities in Lebanon: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9383. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159383.
    5. Bauer, R. A. (1967). Consumer behavior as risk taking. In Marketing: Critical Perspectives on Business and Management (Vol. 593, pp. 13–21). Harcourt, Brace & World.
    6. CAAM. (2025). A Brief Analysis of New Energy Vehicle Production and Sales in September 2025. China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). http://www.caam.org.cn/chn/4/cate_32/con_5236910.html.
    7. Carley, S., Krause, R. M., Lane, B. W., & Graham, J. D. (2013). Intent to purchase a plug-in electric vehicle: A survey of early impressions in large US cites. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 18, 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2012.09.007.
    8. Chen, P., Selamat, M. H., & Lee, S.-N. (2025). The Impact of Policy Incentives on the Purchase of Electric Vehicles by Consumers in China’s First-Tier Cities: Moderate-Mediate Analysis. Sustainability, 17(12), 5319. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125319.
    9. Chen, R., & He, F. (2003). Examination of brand knowledge, perceived risk and consumers’ intention to adopt an online retailer. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 14(6), 677–693. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478336032000053825.
    10. Cheung, M. L., Chau, K. Y., Lam, M. H. S., Tse, G., Ho, K. Y., Flint, S. W., Broom, D. R., Tso, E. K. H., & Lee, K. Y. (2019). Examining Con-sumers’ Adoption of Wearable Healthcare Technology: The Role of Health Attributes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(13), 2257. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132257.
    11. China Ministry of Commerce. (2025). The general offices of eight departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, jointly issued the ‘Notice on Do-ing a Good Job in the 2025 Car Trade-in Program’. https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/syxwfb/art/2025/.
    12. Coad, A., De Haan, P., & Woersdorfer, J. S. (2009). Consumer support for environmental policies: An application to purchases of green cars. Eco-logical Economics, 68(7), 2078–2086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.01.015.
    13. Cong, J., Choi, K.-S., & Tongshui, X. (2023). Factors Influencing the Purchase Intention of EVs Among Korean and Chinese Consumers. Journal of Korea Trade, 27(4), 77–100. https://doi.org/10.35611/jkt.2023.27.4.77.
    14. Degirmenci, K., & Breitner, M. H. (2017). Consumer purchase intentions for electric vehicles: Is green more important than price and range? Trans-portation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 51, 250–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.01.001.
    15. Dunn, M. G., Murphy, P. E., & Skelly, G. U. (1986). Research note: The influence of perceived risk on brand preference for supermarket products. Journal of Retailing, 62(2), 204–216.
    16. Hagger, M. S., Chatzisarantis, N. L. D., & Biddle, S. J. H. (2022). A Meta-Analytic Review of the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Be-havior in Physical Activity: Predictive Validity and the Contribution of Additional Variables. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 24(1), 3–32. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.24.1.3.
    17. Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203.
    18. Han, H., & Sun, S. (2024). Identifying Heterogeneous Willingness to Pay for New Energy Vehicles Attributes: A Discrete Choice Experiment in China. Sustainability, 16(7), 2949. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072949.
    19. Hasan, F., Danish Kirmani, M., Zaidi, N., & Rehman, A. (2024). Environmental Concern and Price Value in Electric Vehicle Adoption: Examining Intentions of Indian Consumers. Journal of Sustainable Marketing, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.51300/JSM-2024-131.
    20. He, X., Hu, Y., & Hong, Z. (2023). Consumers’ intention to purchase electric vehicles: The moderating role of environmental awareness. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2023.2276060.
    21. He, X., & Zhan, W. (2018). How to activate moral norm to adopt electric vehicles in China? An empirical study based on extended norm activation theory. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 3546–3556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.088.
    22. He, Y., Krishnan, V., & Pentang, J. T. (2024). Key Factors Shaping Purchase Intentions for New Energy Vehicles in Urumqi, China. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(8). https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i8.5574.
    23. Hidrue, M. K., Parsons, G. R., Kempton, W., & Gardner, M. P. (2011). Willingness to pay for electric vehicles and their attributes. Resource and Energy Economics, 33(3), 686–705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reseneeco.2011.02.002.
    24. Horton, D. E., Schnell, J. L., Peters, D. R., Wong, D. C., Lu, X., Gao, H., Zhang, H., & Kinney, P. L. (2021). Effect of adoption of electric vehi-cles on public health and air pollution in China: A modelling study. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5, S8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00092-9.
    25. Hu, H.-H., Parsa, H. G., & Self, J. (2010). The Dynamics of Green Restaurant Patronage. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 51(3), 344–362. https://doi.org/10.1177/1938965510370564.
    26. Hu, X., Yusof, R. N. R., & Mansor, Z. D. (2025). Consumers’ Purchase Intentions Towards New Energy Vehicles Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour on Perceived Value: An Empirical Survey of China. World Electric Vehicle Journal, 16(3), 120. https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj16030120.
    27. Huang, X., & Ge, J. (2019). Electric vehicle development in Beijing: An analysis of consumer purchase intention. Journal of Cleaner Production, 216, 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.231.
    28. Huang, X., Li, D., & Sun, M. (2025). Fintech and Corporate ESG Performance: An Empirical Analysis Based on the NEV Industry. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020434.
    29. IEA. (2022). Global Electric Vehicle Outlook 2022 (Report Global EV Outlook 2022). International Energy Agency (IEA). https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2022.
    30. IEA. (2025). Global Electric Vehicle Outlook 2025(Report Global EV Outlook 2025). International Energy Agency (IEA). www.iea.org.
    31. Irfan, M., & Tang, J. (2025). Evaluating the role of institutional trust and policy stability on electric vehicle adoption in China’s post-subsidy era: Evidence from PESTLE-based SEM analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 458, 141209. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146258.
    32. Jansson, J., Nordlund, A., & Westin, K. (2017). Examining drivers of sustainable consumption: The influence of norms and opinion leadership on electric vehicle adoption in Sweden. Journal of Cleaner Production, 154, 176–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.03.186.
    33. Ji, Z., Jiang, H., & Zhu, J. (2024). Factors Impacting Consumers’ Purchase Intention of Electric Vehicles in China: Based on the Integration of Theory of Planned Behaviour and Norm Activation Model. Sustainability, 16(20), 9092. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209092.
    34. Kelman, H. C. (1958). Compliance, identification, and internalization: Three processes of attitude change. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 2(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/002200275800200106.
    35. Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30, 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308.
    36. Krishnamurthy, R., Muralidharan, R., & Rajendran, P. M. (2022). Sustainability as a business purpose: A case of electric vehicles. Corporate Gov-ernance and Sustainability Review, 6(2), 18–28. https://doi.org/10.22495/cgsrv6i2p2.
    37. Lai, I., Liu, Y., Sun, X., Zhang, H., & Xu, W. (2015). Factors Influencing the Behavioural Intention towards Full Electric Vehicles: An Empirical Study in Macau. Sustainability, 7(9), 12564–12585. https://doi.org/10.3390/su70912564.
    38. Lampo, A., Silva, S. C., & Duarte, P. (2025). The role of environmental concern and technology show-off on electric vehicles adoption: The case of Macau. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 20(2), 561–583. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-10-2021-1637.
    39. Larson, P. D., Viáfara, J., Parsons, R. V., & Elias, A. (2014). Consumer attitudes about electric cars: Pricing analysis and policy implications. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 69, 299–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2014.09.002.
    40. Li, W., Long, R., Chen, H., & Geng, J. (2017a). A review of factors influencing consumer intentions to adopt battery electric vehicles. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 78, 318–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.04.076.
    41. Li, W., Long, R., Chen, H., & Geng, J. (2017b). Household factors and adopting intention of battery electric vehicles: A multi-group structural equation model analysis among consumers in Jiangsu Province, China. Natural Hazards, 87(2), 945–960. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-017-2803-9.
    42. Liang, C., Yang, Q., Sun, H., & Ma, X. (2024). Unveiling consumer satisfaction and its driving factors of EVs in China using an explainable artifi-cial intelligence approach. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 1575. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04120-z.
    43. Liao, Y. (2021). Intention of consumers to adopt electric vehicle in the post-subsidy era: Evidence from China. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 16(7), 647–659. https://doi.org/10.1080/15568318.2021.1918297.
    44. Liu, L. Y. D., & You, Y. (2023). FinTech and Green Credit Development—Evidence from China. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075903.
    45. Liu, P., & Selamat, M. H. (2025). Promoting Sustainable Transport: The Role of Incentive Policies and Subjective Norms in Consumer Purchasing Behavior in the Electric Vehicle Market in China. Frontiers in Economics and Management, 6(5).
    46. Ma, S.-C., Fan, Y., & Feng, L. (2017). An evaluation of government incentives for new energy vehicles in China focusing on vehicle purchasing restrictions. Energy Policy, 110, 609–618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.07.057.
    47. Muposhi, A., Mpinganjira, M., & Wait, M. (2021). Influence of personal value orientations on pro-environmental behaviour: A case of green shop-ping bags. International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 28(1), 76–92. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEWM.2021.117011.
    48. Pang, J., Ye, J., & Zhang, X. (2023). Factors influencing users’ willingness to use new energy vehicles. PLOS ONE, 18(5), e0285815. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285815.
    49. Paul, J., Modi, A., & Patel, J. (2016). Predicting green product consumption using theory of planned behavior and reasoned action. Journal of Re-tailing and Consumer Services, 29, 123–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2015.11.006.
    50. Qian, L., & Yin, J. (2017). Linking Chinese cultural values and the adoption of electric vehicles: The mediating role of ethical evaluation. Transpor-tation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 56, 175–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.07.029.
    51. Rafiq, F., Parthiban, E. S., Rajkumari, Y., Adil, M., Nasir, M., & Dogra, N. (2024). From Thinking Green to Riding Green: A Study on Influencing Factors in Electric Vehicle Adoption. Sustainability, 16(1), 194. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010194.
    52. Rezvani, Z., Jansson, J., & Bengtsson, M. (2018). Consumer motivations for sustainable consumption: The interaction of gain, normative and he-donic motivations on electric vehicle adoption. Business Strategy and the Environment, 27(8), 1272–1283. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2074.
    53. Roberson, L., & Helveston, J. P. (2022). Not all subsidies are equal: Measuring preferences for electric vehicle financial incentives. Environmental Research Letters, 17(8), 084003. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac7df3.
    54. Schultz, P. (2001). The Structure of Environmental Concern: Concern for Self, Other People, and the Biosphere. Journal of Environmental Psy-chology, 21(4), 327–339. https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.2001.0227.
    55. Shalender, K., & Sharma, N. (2021). Using extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to predict adoption intention of electric vehicles in India. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23(1), 665–681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00602-7.
    56. Sheldon, T. L., Dua, R., & Alharbi, O. A. (2022, September 21). Vehicle electrification as an alternative transport fuel technology—Cost-effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions. The Future of Global Energy Systems，17th IAEE European Conference.
    57. Solekah, N. A., Ratnasari, K., & Hirmawan, A. P. (2023). Prediction of Green Purchase Intention for Electric Vehicles: A Theory of Planned Be-havior Approach. Jurnal Minds: Manajemen Ide Dan Inspirasi, 10(2), 297–320. https://doi.org/10.24252/minds.v10i2.40772.
    58. Tu, J.-C., & Yang, C. (2019). Key Factors Influencing Consumers’ Purchase of Electric Vehicles. Sustainability, 11(14), 3863. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143863.
    59. Wang, C., Wang, L., Zhao, S., Yang, C., & Albitar, K. (2024). The impact of FinTech on corporate carbon emissions: Towards green and sustaina-ble development. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(2), 529-543. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3778.
    60. Wang, K., Zhang, X., & Li, M. (2024). The impact of facilitating conditions on electric vehicle adoption intention in China: The mediating role of perceived risk. Energy Reports, 10(6), 12245–12259. https://doi.org/10.1177/18479790231224715.
    61. Wang, N., Tang, L., & Pan, H. (2017). Effectiveness of policy incentives on electric vehicle acceptance in China: A discrete choice analysis. Trans-portation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 105, 210–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.08.009.
    62. Wang, N., Tang, L., & Pan, H. (2019). A global comparison and assessment of incentive policy on electric vehicle promotion. Sustainable Cities and Society, 44, 597–603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2018.10.024.
    63. Wang, S., Fan, J., Zhao, D., Yang, S., & Fu, Y. (2016). Predicting consumers’ intention to adopt hybrid electric vehicles: Using an extended ver-sion of the theory of planned behavior model. Transportation, 43(1), 123–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-014-9567-9.
    64. Wang, S., Li, J., & Zhao, D. (2017). The impact of policy measures on consumer intention to adopt electric vehicles: Evidence from China. Trans-portation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 105, 14–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.08.013.
    65. Wang, S., Wang, J., Li, J., Wang, J., & Liang, L. (2018). Policy implications for promoting the adoption of electric vehicles: Do consumer’s knowledge, perceived risk and financial incentive policy matter? Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 117, 58–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2018.08.014.
    66. Wang, X.-W., Cao, Y.-M., & Zhang, N. (2021). The influences of incentive policy perceptions and consumer social attributes on battery electric vehicle purchase intentions. Energy Policy, 151, 112163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112163.
    67. Wang, Y., Fan, R., Du, K., & Bao, X. (2023). Exploring incentives to promote electric vehicles diffusion under subsidy abolition: An evolutionary analysis on multiplex consumer social networks. Energy, 276, 127587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.127587.
    68. White, L. V., & Sintov, N. D. (2017). You are what you drive: Environmentalist and social innovator symbolism drives electric vehicle adoption intentions. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 99, 94–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.03.008.
    69. Wu, J., Liao, H., Wang, J.-W., & Chen, T. (2019). The role of environmental concern in the public acceptance of autonomous electric vehicles: A survey from China. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 60, 37–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2018.09.029.
    70. Wu, M., & Chen, W. (2022). Forecast of Electric Vehicle Sales in the World and China Based on PCA-GRNN. Sustainability, 14(4), 2206. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042206.
    71. Xie, Z., Raja Yusof, R. N., & Hareeza Ali, M. (2025). Factors Influencing Online Electric Car Purchase Behavior in China. International Journal of Business and Management, 20(3), 85. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v20n3p85.
    72. Xu, G., Wang, S., Li, J., & Zhao, D. (2020). Moving towards sustainable purchase behavior: Examining the determinants of consumers’ intentions to adopt electric vehicles. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(18), 22535–22546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08835-9.
    73. Xu, G., Wang, S., & Zhao, D. (2021). Transition to sustainable transport: Understanding the antecedents of consumer’s intention to adopt electric vehicles from the emotional research perspective. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(16), 20362–20374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-12006-1.
    74. Xue, C., Zhou, H., Wu, Q., Wu, X., & Xu, X. (2021). Impact of Incentive Policies and Other Socio-Economic Factors on Electric Vehicle Market Share: A Panel Data Analysis from the 20 Countries. Sustainability, 13(5), 2928. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052928.
    75. Yang, S., Cheng, P., Li, J., & Wang, S. (2019). Which group should policies target? Effects of incentive policies and product cognitions for electric vehicle adoption among Chinese consumers. Energy Policy, 135, 111009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111009.
    76. Yuriev, A., Dahmen, M., Paillé, P., Boiral, O., & Guillaumie, L. (2020). Pro-environmental behaviors through the lens of the theory of planned be-havior: A scoping review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 155, 104660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104660.
    77. Zahan, I., Chuanmin, S., Fayyaz, M., & Hafeez, M. (2020). Green purchase behavior towards green housing: An investigation of Bangladeshi con-sumers. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(31), 38745–38757. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09926-3.
    78. Zaman, S. U., Muhammad Osama Ali, S., Hasnain Alam, S., & Ahmed, J. (2024). Factors Influencing the Purchase Intention Towards Electronic Vehicle and Impact on Individual’s Pro-Environmental Future Intentions. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 13(4), 1175–1192. https://doi.org/10.62345/jads.2024.13.4.96.
    79. Zhang, B. S., Ali, K., & Kanesan, T. (2022). A model of extended technology acceptance for behavioral intention toward EVs with gender as a moderator. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1080414. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1080414.
    80. Zhang, J., Xu, S., He, Z., Li, C., & Meng, X. (2022). Factors Influencing Adoption Intention for Electric Vehicles under a Subsidy Deduction: From Different City-Level Perspectives. Sustainability, 14(10), 5777. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105777.
    81. Zhao, X., Li, X., Jiao, D., Mao, Y, Sun, J., & Liu, G. (2024). Policy incentives and electric vehicle adoption in China: From a perspective of policy mixes. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 190, 104235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2024.104235.
    82. Zheng, C., Sun, D., Khamarudin, M., Ahmad, A., Wei, H., & Xu, J. (2025). Integrating customer-based brand equity and the theory of planned behavior to predict electric vehicle adoption in China: The moderating role of perceived price. PLOS One, 20(7), e0329224. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0329224.
    83. Zhu, M., Stern, N., Stiglitz, J. E., Liu, S., Zhang, Y., Li, J., Hepburn, C., Xie, C., Clark, A., & Peng, D. (2023). Embracing the new paradigm of green development: China’s Carbon Neutrality Policy Framework research report. Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Envi-ronment, London School of Economics and Political Science. https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Jing , J. ., Yew, L. K. . ., Kowang , T. O. ., Kiong , T. P. ., & Chen, Y. . . (2025). Factors Affecting Intention to Adopt Electric Vehicles in China. International Journal of Accounting and Economics Studies, 12(8), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.14419/xxwnnp46