Key Factors In fluenc ing Sri Lankan Conventional Fuel Vehicle Owners Towards Switching to Electric Vehicles: A Study Based on Consumer Purchase Intention

In light of Sri Lanka’s attempts to promote sustainable transport, the movement towards electric vehicles (EVs) appears promising. Despite the global trend towards EV adoption, their reception in Sri Lanka has been poor. This study employs a quantitative approach to identify the factors that influence conventional fuel vehicle owners in the Western Province of Sri Lanka to switch to EVs and analyse the effect of perceived risk on EV purchase intention using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). In this research, data from a survey carried out among a representative sample of the population was analysed by employing SmartPLS4. The outcomes bring to attention some important factors about consumer purchase intentions relating to switching to EVs, such as relationships with vehicle characteristics, economic benefits, social influence, environmental concerns, infrastructure availability, and perceived risk. These results have implications for policymakers in Sri Lanka, industry players, and researchers interested in sustainable transportation options. The targeted interventions will help address these challenges, thus leading to faster adoption of EVs in Sri Lanka and enabling its society to realize the benefits associated with sustainable mobility.