Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions
This study examines whether electric and hybrid vehicle (EHV) adoption is driven by environmental altruism, rational egoism, or structural factors, using U.S. state-level data from 2016 to 2019 and Fixed Effects estimation. The results show no evidence that Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) adoption is...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Sustainable Futures |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825000875 |
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| author | Jay Squalli |
| author_facet | Jay Squalli |
| author_sort | Jay Squalli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines whether electric and hybrid vehicle (EHV) adoption is driven by environmental altruism, rational egoism, or structural factors, using U.S. state-level data from 2016 to 2019 and Fixed Effects estimation. The results show no evidence that Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) adoption is influenced by per capita greenhouse gas emissions or environmental awareness, which suggest that national policies, financial incentives, and fuel prices may be the primary drivers. Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV) adoption is strongly influenced by gasoline prices and charging infrastructure, with limited evidence of environmental altruism and no support for rational egoism. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) adoption is shaped by economic factors, with negative associations between environmental awareness and adoption, suggesting that some consumers may perceive PHEVs as an inadequate alternative to fully electric vehicles. The lack of a relationship between environmental attitudes and adoption across all EHV types suggests that environmental hypocrisy may play a role, as stated environmental concern does not consistently translate into purchasing behavior. However, practical barriers such as cost and infrastructure limitations may also explain this disconnect. These findings emphasize that structural and financial incentives are more effective than moral or environmental appeals in promoting EHV adoption. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2b223f225dbf44dbbb743caf3c22ecf1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2666-1888 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sustainable Futures |
| spelling | doaj-art-2b223f225dbf44dbbb743caf3c22ecf12025-08-20T02:06:36ZengElsevierSustainable Futures2666-18882025-06-01910051710.1016/j.sftr.2025.100517Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptionsJay Squalli0Department of Economics, School of Business Administration, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesThis study examines whether electric and hybrid vehicle (EHV) adoption is driven by environmental altruism, rational egoism, or structural factors, using U.S. state-level data from 2016 to 2019 and Fixed Effects estimation. The results show no evidence that Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) adoption is influenced by per capita greenhouse gas emissions or environmental awareness, which suggest that national policies, financial incentives, and fuel prices may be the primary drivers. Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV) adoption is strongly influenced by gasoline prices and charging infrastructure, with limited evidence of environmental altruism and no support for rational egoism. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) adoption is shaped by economic factors, with negative associations between environmental awareness and adoption, suggesting that some consumers may perceive PHEVs as an inadequate alternative to fully electric vehicles. The lack of a relationship between environmental attitudes and adoption across all EHV types suggests that environmental hypocrisy may play a role, as stated environmental concern does not consistently translate into purchasing behavior. However, practical barriers such as cost and infrastructure limitations may also explain this disconnect. These findings emphasize that structural and financial incentives are more effective than moral or environmental appeals in promoting EHV adoption.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825000875Environmental awarenessEnvironmental altruismEgoismEnvironmental hypocrisyElectric and hybrid vehiclesGreenhouse gas emissions |
| spellingShingle | Jay Squalli Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions Sustainable Futures Environmental awareness Environmental altruism Egoism Environmental hypocrisy Electric and hybrid vehicles Greenhouse gas emissions |
| title | Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions |
| title_full | Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions |
| title_fullStr | Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions |
| title_short | Environmental altruism, egoism, or hypocrisy? environmental awareness, emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions |
| title_sort | environmental altruism egoism or hypocrisy environmental awareness emissions and electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions |
| topic | Environmental awareness Environmental altruism Egoism Environmental hypocrisy Electric and hybrid vehicles Greenhouse gas emissions |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188825000875 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jaysqualli environmentalaltruismegoismorhypocrisyenvironmentalawarenessemissionsandelectricandhybridvehicleadoptions |