Exploring the Transition to Low/Zero Emissions Passenger Vehicles in Used Car Markets: Insights from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Westford S. Joseph (a), Phimsupha Kokchang (b)
(b) Energy Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Abstract
A quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the transportation sector, with approximately 39% of transportation emissions coming from private vehicle use. The adoption of low/zero emission vehicles (LZEV) has emerged as a top strategy for states to reduce GHG emissions from the sector. Yet, little research has examined this strategy in markets where consumers favour buying used cars, such as the study^s target country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Furthermore, used car markets are particularly prominent in developing states, where most of the 2050 projected global vehicle fleet expansion will occur. This study utilizes an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour model - where the constructs of ^cost^, ^perceived internal constraints^ and ^perceived external purchasing constraints^ were analysed along with the theory^s original constructs ^attitude^, ^subjective norms^, and ^perceived behavioural control^ - to determine better the various influences of Vincentian consumers^ intention to purchase a low/zero emissions vehicle. The results showed that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and cost emerged as having significant control over a person^s intention to purchase LZEV, while perceived internal constraints were not shown to impact a person^s decision. While there were reliability challenges with the perceived external constraints construct, it can still be concluded that effects on the supply of LZEV, especially used vehicles, will negatively impact persons^ intentions to purchase.
Keywords: EV adoption- low/zero emission vehicles- theory of planned behaviour- used cars
