Exploring the factors influencing electric vehicle adoption : A case study of the public sector in Hunan, China

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the public sector of Hunan, China, remains low despite national commitments to carbon neutrality and urban sustainability. This study addressed the pressing issue of limited EV penetration in Hunan’s public sector, where challenges include inadequate charging infrastructure, high vehicle and facility costs, suboptimal EV performance, insufficient technical knowledge, and fragmented governance mechanisms. The research objectives were to examine the direct and indirect effects of technical and economic factors on EV adoption, and to assess the mediating role of infrastructure governance in shaping adoption outcomes. A quantitative research design was employed, using structured questionnaires distributed through systematic sampling to government agencies, public institutions, and corporate fleets engaged in urban transportation. A total of 459 questionnaires were distributed, with 166 valid responses collected from executives, managers, and transportation officials across Hunan. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS. The findings revealed that charging infrastructure, charging facility cost, economic benefits, and infrastructure governance significantly and positively influence EV adoption. In contrast, vehicle cost, EV performance, and technical knowledge showed no direct significance. However, governance mechanisms mediate the effects of vehicle cost, economic benefits, and EV performance on adoption. The model explained 52% of the variance in EV adoption (R² = 0.52). These results underscored the central role of infrastructure governance in overcoming technical and economic barriers. Theoretically, this study contributed to the use of Extension of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2) and Social Technical System Theory in studying the context of technical and economic factors at improving EV adoption in the public sector of Hunan. From a practical point of view, this study revealed that the integrated policy coordination, strategic infrastructure investment, and targeted economic incentives are essential for accelerating EV adoption in Hunan’s public sector