Abstract
Policymakers in India are attempting to accelerate the trend towards using Electric Vehicles through schemes, and incentives, to promote cleaner energy; nevertheless, it is also necessary to comprehensively understand customer perception. This study explores factors affecting consumer willingness to adopt EV using national-level data while considering variations among different classes of cities using machine learning method and relative weights analysis. This study also uses a deep learning technique to predict the individual's willingness to spend on purchasing an EV. While education and employment status, coupled with technological advancements and policy benefits, positively impact EV purchase, the current service-related infrastructural conditions, operation, maintenance cost, and capital cost stand out as key adoption barriers. The awareness among the individuals varies within different classes of cities in India. The results can aid automotive companies to base their products and sales strategy and the policymakers to implement forthcoming EV and related policies.
