Human-centered electric vehicle adoption framework for smart mobility: Modeling perceived range and charging anxiety as a psychological barrier

Nazari, Fatemeh; Mohammadian, Abolfazl (Kouros) · 2026 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1177/27723577261447832

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Summary

This study addresses the persistent barrier of limited electric driving range to the mass adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), specifically focusing on the psychological dimension known as "range anxiety." Despite technological advancements in battery capacity and increased public charging infrastructure, PEV market share remains low. The authors argue that existing literature predominantly examines the technical aspects of range, neglecting the irrational fear response that persists even when technical range is sufficient. The research aims to quantify how this latent psychological construct influences individual decisions regarding vehicle transaction types and fuel type selection. To achieve this, the authors developed a two-level nested logit (NL) model integrated with a latent construct for perceived range anxiety. The model simultaneously captures two decisions: the upper level determines the vehicle transaction type (no-transaction, sell, trade, or add), while the lower level determines the fuel type of the acquired vehicle (conventional, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery electric). The latent construct for range anxiety was derived using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) based on five survey indicators, including concerns about limited battery range and lack of charging infrastructure. The model was empirically estimated using a stated preferences dataset from the 2019 California Vehicle Survey, comprising 3,536 choice observations from 1,230 households. The results indicate that perceived range anxiety significantly influences the preference for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), particularly when the vehicle is added to an existing household fleet rather than traded for an existing vehicle. Conversely, range anxiety did not significantly impact the decision to adopt plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The CFA confirmed that all five indicators, such as the fear of getting stranded with a BEV and concerns over charging infrastructure, were statistically significant contributors to the latent anxiety construct. The study further distinguished between the psychological barriers affecting BEVs versus PHEVs, highlighting that the anxiety is more pronounced for fully electric options. The significance of this work lies in its human-centered approach to EV adoption, demonstrating that psychological barriers remain critical even as technical limitations diminish. By modeling joint decisions on transaction type and fuel type, the study provides nuanced insights for policymakers, suggesting that interventions to reduce range anxiety should be tailored to specific EV types and acquisition contexts. The findings imply that promoting BEV adoption, especially as secondary household vehicles, requires addressing psychological fears rather than solely improving technical specifications. This framework offers a more comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior, aiding in the design of targeted strategies to accelerate sustainable mobility transitions.

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