Motivators and Environmental Awareness for Electric Vehicle Adoption in Thailand

Global emissions from the transportation sector were nearly 7.7 GtCO2 in 2021. In Thailand, the transportation sector emitted 69 MtCO2 and consumed 27,460 ktoe of final energy in the same year. Transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to electric vehicles (EVs) can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, particularly PM2.5, in major metropolitan areas. However, in the early stages, the adoption of EVs may affect consumer considerations. This study aimed to investigate motivators and environmental awareness regarding EV adoption in Thailand. It also analyzed CO2 emissions from the transportation sector in Thailand, covering the period from 1987 to 2023, to understand long-term trends and recent changes. An online questionnaire was conducted, and a total of 459 respondents participated. The results revealed that the top three motivators for respondents to consider EVs were the potential tax refund for purchasing an EV, lower charging costs compared to fuel costs for ICEVs, and lower operating costs for EVs compared to ICEVs. In terms of environmental awareness, respondents expressed concerns about adapting to global warming, the potential for EVs to reduce air pollution, and the environment in general. Based on the findings, individuals aged between 26 and 35 years old could be the key target group for early EV adoption.