Insights from the belief-action-outcome framework

Electric vehicles have emerged as a powerful alternative in fighting against climate change and dependence on limited fossil fuels. However, widespread adoption hasn’t reached the levels initially predicted. Moreover, the post-adoption outcomes are still an underdeveloped topic. This study addresses this gap by examining both the antecedents and outcomes of electric vehicle (EV) use behavior. Grounded on the belief-action-outcome framework and a mixed methods design, combining qualitative interviews with EV users and a quantitative survey analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results revealed that environmentally friendly information positively influenced electric vehicle use and strengthened the relationship between use and perceived well-being and task performance. Additionally, perceived value and ease of use are key drivers of EV use, while environmental concern and financial incentives are not significant. Importantly, EV use positively influences both perceived well-being and task performance, highlighting the broader humanistic and instrumental benefits of adoption. This study contributes to the literature by extending EV research beyond adoption to include post-adoption outcomes and by demonstrating the critical role of informational factors in shaping both behavior and outcomes. Practically, the findings suggest that policymakers and firms should prioritize clear environmental communication and user-centered design over financial incentives to promote EV use and enhance user benefits.