Navigating the road to sustainable mobility: opportunities and challenges in electric vehicle adoption in Liberia

This study investigates the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Liberia, focusing on the opportunities and challenges associated with this mobility shift. As a developing nation, Liberia faces a peculiar and significant barrier to EV integration, including underdeveloped infrastructure, high importation costs, and a fragile energy grid. By employing a multidisciplinary research design that incorporates a comprehensive PESTLE and SWOT analysis, this study identifies key socio-economic, technological, and regulatory factors influencing EV adoption in Liberia. Additionally, a Technology Adoption Model (TAM) framework is utilized to assess user perceptions and behavioral intentions regarding EVs. The research provides a theoretical contribution to the existing literature on EV adoption in low-income economies by highlighting the unique contextual barriers and enablers specific to Liberia. Unlike previous studies that primarily focus on developed or emerging economies, this paper offers new insights into the role of renewable energy integration specifically hydropower, solar, and biomass in establishing a cleaner and more reliable energy grid to support EVs in Liberia. It also examined the impact of policy frameworks, financial incentives, and public–private partnerships in reducing the economic constraints associated with EV adoption in Liberia. The study underscores how policy reforms, international collaboration, and stakeholder engagement can transform infrastructural challenges into opportunities for sustainable transportation. By addressing issues such as limited rural electrification (currently below 5%) and the transportation sector's reliance on fossil fuels, Liberia can progress toward sustainable mobility and environmental conservation. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable transportation by providing strategic recommendations for enhancing Liberia’s energy and transportation sectors, emphasizing infrastructure investment, renewable energy integration, and regulatory support. These measures not only facilitate EV adoption but also serve as a practical blueprint for other developing nations facing similar economic and infrastructural constraints.