Attitudes, ownership and use of Electric Vehicles – a review of literature

Abstract

The early drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) live in the vicinity of cities, have high education and income, are middle aged (30-50 years), mostly men, and live in households with more than one car. Early drivers of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) are also men, ages 50-60 years. Studies indicate that the EV is mostly used for commuting as a supplement to the conventional car. This is especially true for Norway where favorable incentives exist: free parking, free driving on toll roads, no value added tax (VAT), driving in bus lanes, reduced tax on company cars, and reduced annual vehicle tax. In some studies automobile use increased after the purchase of an EV. Driving an EV replaced previous public transit trips.