A Study of Consumer Perceptions and Preferences for Battery Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Vehicles in Indonesia

The move to electric vehicles is very important for developing countries. It brings both challenges and opportunities. This study looked at what people think about Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) in Indonesia, which has a diverse range of economic situations. Although the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is a basic framework for understanding adoption, its predictive effectiveness might be constrained in settings characterized by notable infrastructural and economic inequalities. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this study combines quantitative data from a survey of 460 individuals in six key Indonesian cities with qualitative insights from mini Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The results highlight an apparent inclination towards HEVs (65%) over BEVs (25%), a decision primarily influenced by vehicle ownership status and geographic location. Notably, households with a single vehicle predominantly prefer HEVs due to their perceived reliability, while those with multiple vehicles are more receptive to BEVs. This study enhances the TAM by illustrating that contextual elements—particularly vehicle ownership as a measure of risk diversification and geography as a sign of infrastructure maturity—serve as crucial moderators of perceived usefulness and ease of use. The results provide important information for government leaders and businesses. They show that it's necessary to have different plans for top cities (tier-1) and smaller cities (tier-2) when it comes to helping people use sustainable transportation. This focused strategy is crucial for helping Indonesia move towards better and greener ways of getting around. This research advances technology adoption theory by providing a more detailed model relevant to emerging economies and offers a solid empirical foundation for evidence-based decision-making.