A Comprehensive Systematic Review on Electric Vehicle Adoption with the Impact of Technological and Consumer Buying Behavior

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) focused on electric vehicle (EV) adoption to portrait the consumer purchase behavior. Drawing from multiple academic databases, 55 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed and incorporated the ideas that have been dealt in the topic. The review paper consists of the comprehensive review of different methodologies used for the study of electric vehicle buying behaviour of the Indian people. The review identifies and synthesizes key behavioural factors, theoretical frameworks, and research trends. The findings indicate that psychological, social, economic, and contextual factors significantly influence the EV adoption decisions for buyers. Additionally, the review signifies the emerging themes such as psychological ownership, range anxiety, and charging infrastructure accessibility and customer preference and also includes the gaps in the literature and shows the future research direction are also discussed and embedded in this paper.

Introduction

The transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is a central global strategy to mitigate climate change. In India, EV adoption is influenced by environmental concerns, government policies, technological innovation, and infrastructure development. Despite technological progress and regulatory incentives, consumer adoption remains a major challenge. This systematic review synthesizes research on consumer behavior toward EV adoption in India, providing insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers.

Trends and Patterns (RQ1)

Between 2010 and 2025, EV-related publications have increased exponentially, reflecting academic and industrial interest in sustainable transportation. Early studies focused on innovation and technology acceptance models—notably the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)—while recent work integrates psychological frameworks like the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory. Research methods have evolved from basic surveys to advanced approaches such as structural equation modeling (SEM), agent-based simulations, and system dynamics, reflecting the complexity of EV adoption as a socio-technical phenomenon.

Determinants of EV Adoption (RQ2 & RQ3)

EV adoption is driven by economic, psychological, social, and technological factors, each varying across regions and demographics.

• Psychological Factors:
  Positive attitudes toward the environment, perceived behavioral control, and technological curiosity enhance adoption intent. Younger, educated, and tech-savvy consumers are more likely to adopt EVs.

• Social Factors:
  Peer influence, status symbolism, and social norms play major roles. EVs are often perceived as markers of modernity and environmental responsibility. Visibility and observability of EVs increase adoption likelihood, supported by influencers and opinion leaders.

• Economic Factors:
  Despite lower operational costs, high upfront prices and limited financing options deter low- and middle-income buyers. Government incentives (tax rebates, subsidies) and fuel price increases improve adoption rates. Awareness of total cost of ownership (TCO) further encourages purchase decisions.

• Technological Factors:
  Battery range, charging speed, and reliability significantly affect consumer confidence. Advancements in battery life, warranties, and fast-charging infrastructure reduce range anxiety. EVs’ smooth performance and connectivity features—such as mobile apps, navigation systems, and OTA updates—enhance appeal but raise concerns about data privacy.

• Trust and Information:
  Consumer trust in manufacturers, technology, and policies is crucial. Uncertainties about battery longevity or charging infrastructure reliability remain barriers, despite policy incentives.

Methodology

The review follows PRISMA guidelines, conducting literature searches across Scopus, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science using targeted keywords. From 753 identified publications, studies were screened, evaluated, and classified as quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method.

• Quantitative methods (e.g., SEM, regression, choice modeling) dominate 44 studies.

• Qualitative methods (e.g., thematic and content analysis) account for 6 studies.

• Mixed-method approaches appear in 7 studies.
  Data were independently extracted by two reviewers to ensure reliability and transparency.

Theoretical Frameworks

The main frameworks applied include:

• TPB (Ajzen, 1991): links attitudes, norms, and perceived control to behavior.

• TAM: explains user acceptance of new technology.

• DOI (Rogers, 2003): categorizes adopters and diffusion patterns.

• VBN: connects values and norms to pro-environmental actions.

• UTAUT: integrates multiple technology adoption theories.

Methodological Trends

Recent studies show a shift toward multi-theoretical, data-driven, and region-specific analyses, integrating TPB-TAM frameworks for behavioral modeling. Scenario and policy simulations are increasingly used to guide national EV strategies.

Future Scope

The review identifies key limitations: scarcity of Indian primary data, exclusion of non-English papers, and lack of a standardized conceptual framework. Future research should emphasize longitudinal studies, regionally differentiated models, and consumer-centric analyses to bridge gaps between technology readiness, affordability, and behavioral intent.

Conclusion

The transition to Electric vehicle adoption involves various aspects especially when it comes to understanding the consumer buying behaviour. Consumer behaviour is a multifaceted determinant in the adoption of EVs in India. Understanding the different behavior with the comprehensive understanding requires integrating a mix of psychological, social, economic,policy and infrastructural factors. Future research should broaden methodological approaches and include more diverse populations to inform global EV strategies. The systematic literature review would improve the quality of the further research on the buying behaviour of the consumer towards the adoption of electric vehicles. These factors would improve the strategic planning of the manufacturers and the stakeholders to invest in the company.

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Copyright © 2025 Srinivasan U, Vadivel S. M.. 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.