Testing the acceptance of electric charges

In recent years, the global growth of electric vehicles (EVs) has been remarkable due to increased sustainability awareness and eco-consciousness. This surge in demand has necessitated a robust electric charging infrastructure to support EV adoption. To understand the factors influencing the acceptance and usage of electric chargers, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model has been employed. UTAUT considers various factors, including perceived usefulness, user experience, social influence, and perceived effort, in the context of electric chargers. Electric chargers are integral to the success of EVs, offering convenience and accessibility. They come in various types, including home chargers, workplace chargers, public chargers, and fast chargers. Ongoing developments in charger technology, such as high-power chargers and smart chargers, continue to enhance the appeal and efficiency of EVs. The application of the UTAUT model in this study involves a conjoint analysis to understand user preferences and decision-making processes regarding electric car attributes. The research collected data from a diverse group of respondents, primarily high school students, although not representative. The results showed strong correlations between user preferences and attributes like safety and perceived danger, supporting the hypotheses. Reliability and validity assessments of the research constructs, such as expected performance, effort, technophilia, social influence, perceived environmental knowledge, and purchase intention, indicated that there were no issues with reliability, exceeding recommended thresholds. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of the factors that influence the acceptance and use of electric chargers, which is crucial for optimizing infrastructure planning and promoting sustainable transportation through widespread EV adoption.