A Study on Consumer Awareness and Perception Towards Electric Vehicles

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as an important solution to reduce environmental pollution, fossil fuel dependency, and greenhouse gas emissions. With the increasing awareness of climate change and the rising cost of petroleum fuels, consumers are gradually shifting their interest toward electric vehicles. The Indian government has also introduced several incentives and policies to encourage the adoption of EVs. This study focuses on analyzing the awareness, perception, and purchasing intention of consumers toward electric vehicles in Coimbatore city. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 100 respondents using a random sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using simple percentage analysis and chi-square tests. The findings indicate that although a large proportion of respondents are aware of EVs and recognize their environmental benefits, actual ownership remains very low due to factors such as high price, lack of charging infrastructure, and limited product options. The study concludes that improving consumer awareness, reducing costs, and expanding charging infrastructure can significantly increase EV adoption in India.

Introduction

The study focuses on the growing importance of electric vehicles (EVs) as a sustainable alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles. Due to environmental concerns, rising fuel prices, and government support such as the FAME scheme, EV adoption is increasing, but overall penetration in India remains low. EVs operate using rechargeable batteries and produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them environmentally friendly.

The study aims to assess consumer awareness, purchasing intentions, influencing factors, and barriers to EV adoption. It uses a descriptive research design, with data collected from 100 respondents in Coimbatore city through random sampling. Primary data were gathered using questionnaires, while secondary data were obtained from journals and reports. Statistical tools like percentage analysis and chi-square test were used for analysis.

The findings show that most respondents are young, educated students who are aware of EVs and consider them environmentally friendly. However, very few own EVs. The major barriers to adoption include high cost, limited availability, and lack of awareness. Many respondents are interested in purchasing EVs in the future. Most prefer battery electric vehicles and home charging. The chi-square test showed no significant relationship between occupation and purchase barriers.

The study suggests increasing awareness programs, expanding charging infrastructure, reducing EV costs, introducing more models, promoting government incentives, and using effective advertising to encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles represent a significant step toward achieving sustainable transportation and reducing environmental pollution. Although awareness about EVs is increasing among consumers, their adoption remains limited due to factors such as high cost, lack of charging infrastructure, and insufficient consumer knowledge. The study reveals that many consumers are willing to consider purchasing electric vehicles in the future, indicating strong growth potential for the EV market in India. Government initiatives, technological advancements, and increased infrastructure development will play a crucial role in accelerating EV adoption. With improved awareness, affordability, and infrastructure, electric vehicles are expected to become a major component of the Indian transportation system in the coming decades, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Mr. Janarthanan A., Dr. R. Kavithamani. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.