Towards sustainable vehicular transport: Empirical assessment of battery swap technology adoption in China

摘要

Battery swap technology (BST) is an innovative means of mitigating range satisfaction in using electric vehicles (EVs), advancing decarbonized vehicular transport, and enhancing environmental sustainability. The readily replaceable dead battery pack is swapped with an already charged one at a Battery Swapping Station (BSS) rather than connecting to a charger. Research is yet to pay attention to what motivates and influences BST adoption. There is a need to understand users' acceptance of the battery swap technology as it is fundamental to carbon emission reduction, sustainable transport, and EV proliferation. The research examines the psychological variables that affect battery swap technology adoption. The study extends the technology acceptance model (TAM) with knowledge, risk and safety concerns, and convenience. Hypothetical assertions were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) based on 405 survey responses. The results revealed that attitude, convenience, perceived usefulness, and knowledge positively influenced the intention to adopt BST for EVs. Risk and safety concerns adversely affected intention significantly. Risk and safety concerns, convenience, and knowledge were mediated by perceived usefulness and attitude. The research findings offer practical policy recommendations to policymakers and industry players to enhance the popularity, maximum usage, expansion, and growth of battery swap technology.