IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/retrec/v109y2025ics0739885924000933.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

What changes the autonomous vehicle acceptance after COVID-19? Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Ruimin
  • Han, Yuqian
  • Zhou, Huiyu

Abstract

We propose a new theoretical autonomous vehicle (AV) acceptance model and use pre-post data to predict acceptance intention changes in the post-pandemic era. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this paper further incorporated trust, perceived risk, social influence, and perceived COVID-19 risk into the original TAM to explore the public acceptance of AVs. Moreover, combining the structural equation model and ordered logit model, this paper adopted a hybrid choice model including psychological attributes, socio-demographic attributes, travel attributes as well as ethics, legal responsibilities, and vehicle safety levels to clarify determinants of the public AV acceptance changes before and after the pandemic. This study solicited 466 residents in China, and used online surveys to collect stated preference data. The results show that the significant positive impact of COVID-19 on the changes in acceptance of AVs for people's mobility, especially for the higher automation levels. It makes AVs more appealing after COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, and social influence also have a significant positive impact on the public AV acceptance changes. Gender, age, dedicated lanes, government subsidies, traffic accident experience, travel mode, travel expense, and other factors are related to AV acceptance changes as well. We provide insights for measuring the changes in acceptance of AVs across time due to public health emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Ruimin & Han, Yuqian & Zhou, Huiyu, 2025. "What changes the autonomous vehicle acceptance after COVID-19? Evidence from China," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:109:y:2025:i:c:s0739885924000933
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2024.101498
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0739885924000933
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.retrec.2024.101498?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Forza, Cipriano & Filippini, Roberto, 1998. "TQM impact on quality conformance and customer satisfaction: A causal model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(1), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Chew, Elaine Yin Teng & Jahari, Siti Aqilah, 2014. "Destination image as a mediator between perceived risks and revisit intention: A case of post-disaster Japan," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 382-393.
    3. Gupta, Akshay & Bivina, G.R. & Parida, Manoranjan, 2022. "Does neighborhood design matter for walk access to metro stations? An integrated SEM-Hybrid discrete mode choice approach," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 61-77.
    4. Verma, Ashish & Verma, Meghna & Sarangi, Punyabeet & Yadav, Vivek & M, Manoj, 2021. "Activity participation, episode duration and stop-making behavior of pilgrims in a religious event: An exploratory analysis," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    5. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    6. Cherchi, Elisabetta, 2017. "A stated choice experiment to measure the effect of informational and normative conformity in the preference for electric vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 88-104.
    7. Fred D. Davis & Richard P. Bagozzi & Paul R. Warshaw, 1989. "User Acceptance of Computer Technology: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 35(8), pages 982-1003, August.
    8. Wadud, Zia & MacKenzie, Don & Leiby, Paul, 2016. "Help or hindrance? The travel, energy and carbon impacts of highly automated vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1-18.
    9. Zhou, Huiyu & Wang, Yacan & Huscroft, Joseph R. & Bai, Kailing, 2021. "Impacts of COVID-19 and anti-pandemic policies on urban transport—an empirical study in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 135-149.
    10. Woldeamanuel, Mintesnot & Nguyen, Dang, 2018. "Perceived benefits and concerns of autonomous vehicles: An exploratory study of millennials’ sentiments of an emerging market," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 44-53.
    11. Wang, Yu & Wang, Yacan & Ettema, Dick & Mao, Zidan & Charlton, Samuel G. & Zhou, Huiyu, 2020. "Commuter value perceptions in peak avoidance behavior: An empirical study in the Beijing subway system," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 70-84.
    12. Thomas Leicht & Anis Chtourou & Kamel Ben Youssef, 2018. "Consumer innovativeness and intentioned autonomous car adoption," Post-Print hal-02511554, HAL.
    13. Fagnant, Daniel J. & Kockelman, Kara, 2015. "Preparing a nation for autonomous vehicles: opportunities, barriers and policy recommendations," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 167-181.
    14. Xu, Ningzhe & Nie, Qifan & Liu, Jun & Jones, Steven, 2024. "Linking short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel behavior and travel preferences in Alabama: A machine learning-supported path analysis," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 46-62.
    15. Nielsen, Thomas Alexander Sick & Haustein, Sonja, 2018. "On sceptics and enthusiasts: What are the expectations towards self-driving cars?," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 49-55.
    16. Kapser, Sebastian & Abdelrahman, Mahmoud & Bernecker, Tobias, 2021. "Autonomous delivery vehicles to fight the spread of Covid-19 – How do men and women differ in their acceptance?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 183-198.
    17. Rob Eisinga & Manfred Grotenhuis & Ben Pelzer, 2013. "The reliability of a two-item scale: Pearson, Cronbach, or Spearman-Brown?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(4), pages 637-642, August.
    18. Peng Liu & Run Yang & Zhigang Xu, 2019. "Public Acceptance of Fully Automated Driving: Effects of Social Trust and Risk/Benefit Perceptions," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 39(2), pages 326-341, February.
    19. Ben-Akiva, Moshe & McFadden, Daniel & Train, Kenneth & Börsch-Supan, Axel, 2002. "Hybrid Choice Models: Progress and Challenges," Sonderforschungsbereich 504 Publications 02-29, Sonderforschungsbereich 504, Universität Mannheim;Sonderforschungsbereich 504, University of Mannheim.
    20. Farha, Farzana Faiza & Shanto, Farabi Sarker & Khan, Fyrooz Anika & Mehrin, Maria & Khan, Asif & Tabassum, Nawshin & Nakshi, Paromita, 2024. "Exploring the changes in travel behavior between the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dhaka," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 24-35.
    21. Maher Said & Emma R. Zajdela & Amanda Stathopoulos, 2021. "Accelerating the Adoption of Disruptive Technologies: The Impact of COVID-19 on Intentions to Use Autonomous Vehicles," Papers 2108.01615, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2021.
    22. Viswanath Venkatesh & Fred D. Davis, 2000. "A Theoretical Extension of the Technology Acceptance Model: Four Longitudinal Field Studies," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 46(2), pages 186-204, February.
    23. AlKheder, Sharaf & Bash, Amina & Al Baghli, Zahra & Al Hubaini, Rahaf & Al Kader, Abedallah, 2023. "Customer perception and acceptance of autonomous delivery vehicles in the State of Kuwait during COVID-19," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    24. repec:xrs:meawpa:02009 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Li, Dun & Huang, Youlin & Qian, Lixian, 2022. "Potential adoption of robotaxi service: The roles of perceived benefits to multiple stakeholders and environmental awareness," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 120-135.
    2. Jing, Peng & Wang, Baihui & Cai, Yunhao & Wang, Bichen & Huang, Jiahui & Yang, Chenglu & Jiang, Chengxi, 2023. "What is the public really concerned about the AV crash? Insights from a combined analysis of social media and questionnaire survey," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    3. Nastjuk, Ilja & Herrenkind, Bernd & Marrone, Mauricio & Brendel, Alfred Benedikt & Kolbe, Lutz M., 2020. "What drives the acceptance of autonomous driving? An investigation of acceptance factors from an end-user's perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    4. Peng Jing & Gang Xu & Yuexia Chen & Yuji Shi & Fengping Zhan, 2020. "The Determinants behind the Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, February.
    5. Hu, Sangen & Li, Chun & Wu, Weitiao & Yang, Ying, 2025. "Exploring the determinants of demand-responsive transit acceptance in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 150-163.
    6. Chee, Pei Nen Esther & Susilo, Yusak O. & Wong, Yiik Diew, 2020. "Determinants of intention-to-use first-/last-mile automated bus service," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 350-375.
    7. Esmaili, Arsalan & Rejali, Sina & Aghabayk, Kayvan & Mohammadi, Amin & De Gruyter, Chris, 2025. "Autonomous delivery vehicle acceptance: The moderating role of perceived risk of theft," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 406-423.
    8. Ljubi, Klara & Groznik, Aleš, 2023. "Role played by social factors and privacy concerns in autonomous vehicle adoption," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 1-15.
    9. Liu, Peng & Ma, Yanjiao & Zuo, Yaqing, 2019. "Self-driving vehicles: Are people willing to trade risks for environmental benefits?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 139-149.
    10. Liu, Peng, 2020. "Positive, negative, ambivalent, or indifferent? Exploring the structure of public attitudes toward self-driving vehicles on public roads," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 27-38.
    11. Pande, Devyani & Taeihagh, Araz, 2024. "A governance perspective on user acceptance of autonomous systems in Singapore," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    12. Ishant Sharma & Sabyasachee Mishra, 2023. "Ranking preferences towards adopting autonomous vehicles based on peer inputs and advertisements," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(6), pages 2139-2192, December.
    13. Rejali, Sina & Aghabayk, Kayvan & Esmaeli, Saeed & Shiwakoti, Nirajan, 2023. "Comparison of technology acceptance model, theory of planned behavior, and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to assess a priori acceptance of fully automated vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    14. Kumar, Rajeev Ranjan & Raj, Alok & Ajith Kumar, J., 2025. "The energy efficiency paradox in electric vehicle adoption: Estimating the internal discount rate and the influences of behavioural factors," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    15. Mäntymäki, Matti & Salo, Jari, 2013. "Purchasing behavior in social virtual worlds: An examination of Habbo Hotel," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 282-290.
    16. Joan Torrent-Sellens & Cristian Salazar-Concha & Pilar Ficapal-Cusí & Francesc Saigí-Rubió, 2021. "Using Digital Platforms to Promote Blood Donation: Motivational and Preliminary Evidence from Latin America and Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
    17. Sanjeev Verma, 2015. "Harnessing the Benefit of Social Networking Sites for Intentional Social Action: Determinants and Challenges," Vision, , vol. 19(2), pages 104-111, June.
    18. Sarv Devaraj & Ming Fan & Rajiv Kohli, 2002. "Antecedents of B2C Channel Satisfaction and Preference: Validating e-Commerce Metrics," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 13(3), pages 316-333, September.
    19. Muhammad Ali & Syed Ali Raza & Chin-Hong Puah & Mohd Zaini Abd Karim, 2017. "Islamic home financing in Pakistan: a SEM-based approach using modified TPB model," Housing Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(8), pages 1156-1177, November.
    20. Chua Chang Jin & Lim Chee Seong & Aye Aye Khin, 2019. "Factors Affecting the Consumer Acceptance towards Fintech Products and Services in Malaysia," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(1), pages 59-65, January.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Pandemic; Autonomous vehicles (AVs); Acceptance; Structural equation model; Ordered logit model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • R49 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Other

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:109:y:2025:i:c:s0739885924000933. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620614/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.