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Test-drives & information might not boost actual battery electric vehicle uptake?

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  • Brückmann, Gracia

Abstract

Many scholars have suggested driving experiences and information campaigns to promote battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake. Especially, when BEVs are powered with green energy, they reduce transport emissions, which is vital for mitigating climate change. Nevertheless, BEVs are still adopted far less than conventional cars, which motivates studying whether information on and experience with BEVs changes household car fleet compositions through the adoption of BEVs in a randomised control trial (RCT). A large random sample (N = 4,149) of conventional vehicle (CV) drivers was randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a comprehensive information sheet on BEVs, the same information plus a multiple day-long test drive with a BEV, and a control group receiving no intervention. For the first time, information and test-driving were assessed side-by-side to measure effects on actual BEV adoption. The results do not point towards substantial effects of these interventions after around 18 months. Larger samples or faster growing BEV markets would be needed to find (possible) significant effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Brückmann, Gracia, 2022. "Test-drives & information might not boost actual battery electric vehicle uptake?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 204-218.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:160:y:2022:i:c:p:204-218
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2022.03.025
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