Graduation Year

2021

Date of Submission

12-2021

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Economics

Reader 1

Darren Filson

Reader 2

Yong Kim

Abstract

I analyze the empirical relationship between EV adoption and individual characteristics. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to understand what factors contribute to the adoption of EVs. Using data acquired from the National Household Travel Survey I test 11 hypotheses to find support for individual characteristics effecting the likelihood of owning an EV. Using a logit model, the data concluded that as age increases by 1 year, the likelihood of owning an EV goes up by 0.01%. If you are female, you are 0.58% more likely to have an EV. Marital status, race, and whether you live in an urban area or not do not have a significant effect on the purchasing of an EV. However, for each additional 1,000 miles an individual drives per year, there is a 0.02% increase in the likelihood of owning an EV. As house size increases by 1 person, the probability of EV ownership decreases by 0.14%. A college degree, a bachelor’s degree and a graduate’s degree all increase the likelihood of owning an EV by 0.5%, 1.7%, and 3.4% respectively compared to having no high school degree. The 8 income categories starting from $25,000 a year to over $200,000 a year all show a higher likelihood of owning an EV compared to an individual making less than $10,000 a year. Population density however, does not show a significant effect on the likelihood of owning an EV. Finally, compared to California, all individuals in states other than Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, and Oregon show a lower likelihood of owning an EV. Although these characteristics have significant relationships with EV ownership, there are numerous personal decision making tendencies and unmeasurable variables that contribute to the purchasing of a personal vehicle.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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