Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Topic: Factors affecting Gen Z's future adoption intention of electric vehicles as
their primary mode of transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.
Abstract
The growing awareness of environmental concerns, along with rapid technological
advancements, has driven an increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) as a sustainable
alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. This study investigates the
factors influencing Generation Z's adoption intentions of electric vehicles as their primary
mode of transportation in Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on four key variables: expected
benefits, user-friendliness, advantageous conditions, and cost awareness. Additionally,
the study applies the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as
the theoretical framework. By utilizing quantitative analysis, the research aims to explore
the extent to which these factors affect Generation Z’s intention to adopt EVs and provide
valuable recommendations for policymakers and automotive companies to support the
transition towards electric mobility in urban areas like Ho Chi Minh City. The findings
will offer critical insights into consumer behavior in emerging markets and address the
challenges of promoting sustainable transportation solutions.
Keywords: Ho Chi Minh, Electric vehicles, Adoption, Purchasing Intention, Expected
Benefits, User-Friendliness, Advantageous Conditions, Cost Awareness, Generation Z,
UTAUT Theory.
1. Introduction
1.1. Background of Study
The automotive sector holds a crucial position in the development of nations due to
its broad social, economic, and environmental impacts. As a major consumer of key
industrial products such as iron, steel, light metals, petrochemicals, rubber, and plastics,
the industry plays a significant role in driving economic growth. Furthermore, its
influence on the national economy is considerable, given the business it generates
through marketing, repair and maintenance services, spare parts distribution, fuel sales,
and financial and insurance offerings
(Gibson et al., 2014; Marcello Chiaberge, 2011; Mitchell et al., 2010)
.
The swift development of electric vehicles (EVs) has incited a worldwide shift
towards more environmentally friendly forms of transportation. The growing concern
over the environment and the need of communities to cut carbon emissions make it
imperative to comprehend the elements that will influence future EV adoption, especially
with regard to younger generations. In Ho Chi Minh City, where car ownership and
urbanization are increasing, Generation Z is a significant group that could influence how
people move in the future. In the framework of this busy metropolis, this study
investigates the variables influencing Gen Z's intention to adopt electric vehicles as their
primary mode of transportation in the future. These variables include environmental
awareness, technological perceptions, economic incentives, and social influences.
Automobiles and trucks that run on electricity rather than gasoline or diesel are
known as electric vehicles or EVs. The term "EV adoption" describes the growing
preference of both individuals and businesses for electric vehicles over conventional
vehicles that run on fossil fuels. As more businesses and consumers realize the
advantages of cleaner, more efficient transportation, interest in EVs has increased over
the last ten years. Significant improvements in EV infrastructure and technology have
reportedly helped alleviate some of the initial worries about charging station availability
and battery life, which are supporting this shift. The adoption of EVs is largely driven by
policy and financial incentives. Stricter CO2 and fuel economy regulations, as well as
laws requiring EV sales, have all helped to boost the market's initial adoption and
subsequent growth.
Currently, the development of traditional transportation vehicles is one of the
major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam. In an effort to meet its
environmental commitments, Vietnam has implemented the "Green Energy Transition
Action Plan," which prioritizes the shift to electric vehicles. While electric two-wheelers
have become popular in the Vietnamese market, electric cars have only recently emerged,
with a relatively modest presence. This is largely due to the hesitation of many consumers
in making the switch from conventional vehicles to electric ones.
Despite the growing awareness of environmental issues and government support
for green energy initiatives, the adoption of electric cars remains slow.
Trong Truong (2023)
stated that concerns such as high initial costs, limited infrastructure, and
unfamiliarity with electric vehicle technology contribute to consumer reluctance. Many
Vietnamese consumers still prefer gasoline-powered cars, which have been the norm for
decades, partly due to the established fueling infrastructure and perceived reliability.
The Vietnamese government's efforts to promote electric vehicles are part of a
broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, particularly in major
cities where pollution from transportation is a pressing issue. As part of the "Green
Energy Transition Action Plan," incentives such as tax reductions, subsidies, and
investments in charging infrastructure are being introduced to encourage consumers to
transition to electric vehicles.
Tuan et al. (2022) noted that the Vietnamese government has implemented several
initiatives to encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption, such as reducing taxes on EVs to
as low as 1%, waiving registration fees for electric cars, and offering registration fee
exemptions for buses that use clean energy. EVs produced domestically are subject to a
tax rate of 5–15%, compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which are
taxed at rates ranging from 10–150%. These tax reductions are designed to lower the
selling price of EVs, making them more competitive with gasoline-powered cars in the
same category.
However, Vietnam is still a relatively new market for EVs, with only 3 to 5 years
of market adoption history. By 2020, there were only 900 EVs in use across the country, a
relatively modest figure (HL, 2022) . Although VinFast, Vietnam’s sole domestic EV
manufacturer, reported receiving over 50,000 orders for its EV models between 2021 and
2022, this figure primarily represents orders and may not reflect actual sales to date.
1.2. Research Problem Statement
Generation Z, also referred to as Gen Z, zoomers, iGeneration, centennials, post-
millennials, or Homelanders, includes individuals born in the late 1990s and early 2000s
(Alison Eldridge, 2023). This generation is deeply concerned about environmental issues,
having grown up in a world where climate change and pollution are significant
challenges. Many Gen Z members are vocal advocates for sustainability and
environmental protection, which positions them as likely early adopters of electric
vehicles. Known for embracing new technologies, their environmental consciousness
makes electric cars an appealing choice.
The exploration of factors influencing Generation Z's intention to adopt electric
vehicles (EVs) as their primary mode of transportation in Ho Chi Minh City emerges as a
timely and significant area of research. As the world grapples with the pressing
challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, the role of the
transportation sector in exacerbating these issues cannot be overlooked. Traditional
internal combustion engine vehicles have long been recognized as major contributors to
greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, electric vehicles represent a promising
alternative, offering a pathway to reduce emissions and utilize cleaner energy sources.
1.3. Research Questions
This study will focus on exploring how various factors affect Generation Z's
intention to use electric vehicles in Ho Chi Minh City, including factors such as expected
benefits, user-friendliness, advantageous conditions, and cost awareness. Therefore, to
understand insightfully the topic, there is a main research question guiding this study:
What are the key factors and do they influence Gen Z's adoption intention of electric
vehicles in Ho Chi Minh City?
1.4. Research Objectives
This research aims to shed light on Generation Z's willingness to transition to
electric vehicles, thereby setting out the main research objective and sub-research
objectives for providing insights that could contribute to mitigating the adverse
environmental impacts associated with conventional transportation methods. Hence, the
main research objective is to investigate the factors influencing Generation Z's intention
to adopt electric vehicles as their primary mode of transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.
2. Literature Review
2.1. Theory Background
In this study, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)
model, developed by Venkatesh et al. (2003), is employed as the foundational theoretical
framework with four key variables: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social
influence, and facilitating conditions. This model is selected for three main reasons.
First, the UTAUT model was specifically developed to explain human behavior in
adopting new technologies. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for understanding the
factors that influence consumers' intentions to switch to electric vehicles—a new
technological product that has recently emerged in Vietnam. Given the novelty of electric
cars in the local market, it is crucial to explore the underlying motivations and barriers
consumers face when considering this technology shift.
Second, the UTAUT model is a synthesis of eight other theoretical models that
explain consumer behavior, including popular models such as the Theory of Planned
Behavior (TPB), the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and the Technology Acceptance
Model (TAM). Due to its integration of multiple theories, UTAUT is considered to have
superior explanatory power compared to the individual models. This makes it a
comprehensive tool for understanding a wide range of factors that could influence
consumer decision-making, especially in the context of transitioning to a new mode of
transportation like electric vehicles.
Third, the UTAUT model has been widely applied across various domains and has
demonstrated strong explanatory capability in predicting consumer intentions to switch to
different fields. For instance, UTAUT has been used to study consumer behavior in e-
commerce (Sombultawee, 2017), e-learning (Dang et al., 2017) , and other sectors. Its
broad applicability and proven effectiveness make it an ideal framework for investigating
the intention to adopt electric vehicles in Vietnam, where consumer attitudes toward this
new technology are still in the early stages of development.
By applying UTAUT in this research, we aim to provide a thorough understanding
of how various factors influence Gen Z's willingness to switch to electric vehicles and
what conditions might facilitate or hinder this transition.
In Vietnam, according to Trong Truong (2023), electric vehicles are not merely a
technological product but also a high-value, environmentally friendly solution that may
not yet align with the transportation habits of many individuals. Therefore, to better
explain consumer intentions to switch to electric vehicles, Venkatesh et al. (2003) has
expanded the UTAUT model by incorporating three additional variables: perceived cost,
habit of using traditional vehicles, and environmental concerns.
Ha et al. (2023) and Trong Truong (2023) confirmed that perceived cost is a
critical factor, as electric vehicles are often seen as a substantial financial investment.
Understanding how consumers perceive the affordability and long-term value of electric
cars is essential in predicting their willingness to adopt this technology.
Additionally, the habits of using traditional vehicles play a significant role in
influencing consumer decisions. In accordance with Tuan et al. (2022), many individuals
in Vietnam are accustomed to using gasoline-powered vehicles or motorbikes, which are
deeply embedded in daily life. This habitual use may create psychological or practical
barriers to switching to electric vehicles, despite their potential benefits. By examining
these habitual behaviors, the study aims to assess how strong these habits are and whether
they can be overcome.
Lastly, environmental concerns are increasingly important in consumer decision-
making, especially as awareness of climate change and sustainability grows. The
inclusion of this variable allows for an exploration of how much environmental
consciousness influences the intention to switch to electric vehicles. It recognizes that
consumers who are more concerned about the environment may be more inclined to
adopt eco-friendly transportation options, even if those options come with higher costs or
require changes in long-standing habits.
EXPECTED
BENEFITS
H1
USER-
FRIENDLINESS H2
ADOPTION
INTENTION
H3
ADVANTAGEOUS
CONDITIONS
H4
COST
AWARENESS
Items AC AI CA EB UF
AC 0.022
AI
CA 0.003
EB 0.072
UF 0.043
Source: SMART PLS-SEM 4
4.2. Discussion
The study identified four key factors that significantly impact Gen Z's intention to
switch to electric cars, including expected benefits, user-friendliness, advantageous
conditions, and cost awareness. These findings are consistent with previous research
(Dutta & Hwang, 2021; Lee et al., 2021b; Tran et al., 2019b; Trong Truong, 2023; Xie et al., 2022; X
. However, the variable cost awareness (CA) did not have a
statistically significant effect on Gen Z’s perception. While Krishnan & Koshy (2021b)
argued that the price of electric cars remains high due to the high costs associated with
battery production, they also pointed out that fuel and maintenance costs are relatively
cheaper compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars. Each consumer may perceive the
cost of a product differently, and those who perceive higher costs may face more
difficulty forming an intention to switch.
The P-value for the CA variable is 0.337, which is higher than 0.05, confirming
that the correlation between CA and AI is not statistically significant. This suggests that,
for most young people, the cost of electric vehicles may not be a major issue in the future
compared to the growing environmental crisis. Therefore, hypothesis H4, which posited
that cost awareness would significantly influence intention, is not supported.
On the other hand, hypotheses H1, H2, and H3 are all statistically significant, with
P-values below 0.05, indicating that these variables (expected benefits, user-friendliness,
and advantageous conditions) have a substantial impact on Gen Z’s intention to switch to
electric cars, and thus these hypotheses are accepted. Regarding the correlation
coefficients, the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) values for all independent variables are
below 2, indicating no multicollinearity issues.
Interestingly, the results for the effect size (f²) reveal some surprising findings. The
effect size for the expected benefits (EB) variable falls within the medium range (0.15 <
f² < 0.35), as per Cohen’s criteria, but it emerges as the most influential factor in shaping
Adoption Intention (AI) compared to the other three variables. This indicates that young
people have high expectations regarding the benefits of electric vehicles, particularly in
terms of environmental, social, and traffic-related improvements. Their strong belief in
these potential benefits suggests that Gen Z views electric vehicles as a solution to
pressing societal issues, making the expected benefits a primary driver of their adoption
intentions.
In expanding this analysis further, it becomes clear that Gen Z’s emphasis on the
environmental benefits of electric vehicles is reflective of broader societal trends. With
increasing concerns over climate change and pollution, younger generations are more
likely to prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions. Electric vehicles offer a
tangible way to reduce carbon emissions, and Gen Z’s heightened awareness of
environmental issues could explain why expected benefits emerged as the strongest
predictor of adoption intention. Moreover, the perceived social benefits of electric
vehicles, such as contributing to a cleaner and healthier society, resonate strongly with
this generation’s values. Lastly, the traffic benefits that electric vehicles could bring, such
as smoother and quieter urban mobility, are likely appealing to a generation growing up
in increasingly congested cities.
This emphasis on the long-term advantages of electric vehicles over the initial cost
hurdles suggests that, as electric vehicle prices become more competitive, cost concerns
will diminish in importance. Gen Z’s forward-looking perspective on the positive impacts
of electric vehicles on the environment and society could play a crucial role in
accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in the coming years.
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