Work

Exploring Youth's intentions to purchase electric and hybrid vehicles in Qatar: The role of moral norms and environmental concern

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Despite the global transition to green transportation, the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles (E&HVs) in Qatar remains limited. This study examines the factors influencing youth intentions to buy E&HVs, employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and assessing the mediating roles of moral norms and environmental concern. The analysis used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypothesized relationships, and applied covariance-based SEM (CB-SEM) to validate robustness. The results reveal that attitude (β = 0.376), subjective norms (β = 0.255), and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.242) have significant direct effects on the intention to purchase E&HVs. In contrast, moral norms and environmental concern do not exhibit significant direct effects. Instead, moral norms exert indirect effects through all TPB constructs at the 1% significance level, whereas environmental concern influences purchase intention indirectly via attitude (β = 0.073). The findings contribute to the TPB literature by highlighting how social and ecological values influence pro-environmental behavior in a resource-rich, high-income setting. The study recommends that policymakers should leverage social influence, enhance perceived behavioral control through infrastructure and financial incentives, and emphasize the ethical and environmental benefits of E&HVs to promote their adoption among youth in Qatar.

Source: Cleaner and Responsible Consumption

DOI: 10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100343

Authors: Ebaidalla M. Ebaidalla, Sana Abusin, Asma H. Malkawi, Brian W. Mandikiana

Institution: Qatar University

Language: English

Topic: Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,630

Funder: Qatar University