Modelling interest in co-adoption of electric vehicles and solar photovoltaics in Australia to identify tailored policy needs

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) and solar photovoltaic systems (PVs) are two technologies that are gaining popularity in households as a means of reducing carbon emissions and improving energy security. However, little is known about the characteristics of households that adopt these technologies jointly. This study investigates the adoption patterns of electric vehicles and solar photovoltaics in Australia. We explain the likelihood of consumers belonging to four distinct groups (those who adopt both PVs and EVs, those who only adopt EVs, those who only adopt PVs, and those who adopt none) based on demographic and attitudinal factors. Using survey data from a representative sample of 2219 Australian heads of households, we found that dwelling ownership, ownership of a home energy management system, gender, and household size were significant predictors of the joint adoption of EVs and PVs. While both pro-environmental and pro-technology attitudes demonstrated a significant role in shaping PV-EV co-adoption patterns, the latter has a much stronger effect than the former. Based on the results, we identified that actions are needed in three key areas to encourage co-adoption: reducing technology adoption constraints associated with living arrangements (such as dwelling type and ownership), providing bundled financial incentives for both technologies, and fostering technology awareness and perceived usefulness among consumers.