Electric vehicle framing: Comparing insights using traditional and social media

To reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, countries around the world are incentivizing the uptake of low and zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs). To understand the social and political context of this shift toward electrified transportation, we study media coverage of EVs. Using a mixed methods approach, we examine media framing of EVs to understand how EV-related information is constructed and conveyed to the public. We draw on a framing typology developed based on traditional media coverage of EVs and apply the typology to discourse on two social media platforms: Twitter and Reddit. We find that the traditional media framing typology applies well to discussions on Twitter. Both traditional media and Twitter regularly rely on Business, Infrastructure, and Sustainability frames. Reddit, however, constructs EVs using a Metaframe, which is a mix of the frames delineated in the traditional media typology. Also, Reddit posts rely on a Technology frame, reflecting its unique interest-based users. Neither the traditional media nor social media sources we analyze use Equity frames to cover EVs. We conclude by addressing the importance of a mixed methods approach and the implications of our findings for EV adoption and transportation equity.