Estimation of rider’s shifting intention for electric bike adoption: An integrated choice and latent variable approach

ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the rider’s mode shifting intention from motorized two-wheeler (TW or Bike) to EB using the Integrated Choice and Latent Variable model (ICLV) through the structural equation model (SEM) framework. For this purpose, rider’s socio-demographic characteristics, travel characteristics, and psychological mind-sets such as comfort, convenience, safety, flexibility, and health are collected from four different states in India. Initially, the Kruskal-Wallis-H test performed to identify the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on rider’s shifting intentions to EB adoption. Further, the ICLV model through SEM framework was conducted and evaluated with the different fit indices. ICLV Model regressed the total effects (direct and indirect) of the rider’s shifting intention for EB adoption. The results indicated that expenditure, existing mode, distance traveled, convenience, safety, flexibility, and health firmly explain the rider’s shifting intention for EB adoption. Also, model results demonstrated the underlying indirect effects of socio-demographic characteristics toward psychological constructs.

KEYWORDS:

• Electric bike
• psychological constructs
• integrated choice and latent variable
• structural equation modeling

Author contributions

The authors confirm contribution to the paper as follows: study conception and design: M.Venkadavarahan, & S.Marisamynathan; data collection: M.Venkadavarahan; analysis and interpretation of results: M.Venkadavarahan & S.Marisamynathan; manuscript preparation and revision: M.Venkadavarahan, S.Marisamynathan. Both authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).