A Statistical Analysis of Adoption and Usage Patterns of Zero-Emission Vehicles in California

Abstract: While the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) is recognized for its environmental benefits compared to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), mere adoption alone is insufficient to mitigate environmental issues. It is crucial to shift vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from traditional vehicles to electric VMT (eVMT). Although most studies focus on ZEV adoption factors, little attention has been given to their usage post-adoption. This study examines both the determinants of ZEV adoption and the factors influencing ZEV usage (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs)) by using data from the 2019 California Vehicle Survey and employing Multiple-Discrete Continuous Extreme Value (MDCEV) models. Results indicate that adoption and usage are significantly impacted by socioeconomic characteristics, household composition, vehicle classification, attitudes towards emerging transportation technologies, and spatial variables. Higher education and income levels, the presence of solar panels, and positive attitudes towards emerging transportation technologies are strongly associated with BEV adoption. Households with children are inclined towards both PHEVs and BEVs. Additionally, counties with higher EV registrations foster greater PHEV adoption, highlighting the role of robust EV communities. Regarding usage, full-time employed individuals in households with both powertrain types are less likely to use PHEVs compared to ICEVs, while Asian households tend to use BEVs more extensively. These findings underscore the need to understand ZEV usage patterns to maximize environmental benefits and guide effective policy development.