Behavioral Insights into Electric Vehicle Adoption: Linking Social Influence, Perceived Benefits, and Consumer Intentions

The urgency of environmental sustainability has galvanized global efforts toward cleaner mobility, with Indonesia among the nations actively encouraging the shift to battery-powered electric motor vehicles. Yet, the pace of this transition remains uneven particularly in urban centers such as Yogyakarta where adoption rates are still modest. This phenomenon invites closer scrutiny into the psychological and social dynamics underlying consumer behavior in this domain. This study explores how social influence and perceived benefits shape individuals’ intention to purchase electric vehicles, and how such intention translates into behavioral tendencies. Utilizing a quantitative framework, the analysis draws upon data from 202 urban respondents who fulfilled predefined inclusion parameters. Employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study identifies a robust positive relationship between social influence and perceived benefits with the intention to adopt electric vehicles. Moreover, intention not only emerges as a significant predictor of perceived behavioral enactment but also functions as a mediating construct linking both exogenous factors to behavioral inclination. These insights refine the application of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in the realm of sustainable mobility, offering both theoretical enrichment and policy relevance. Specifically, the findings underscore the necessity of culturally attuned communication strategies and evidence-based educational initiatives that can effectively support Indonesia’s broader environmental commitments through the promotion of clean transportation alternatives.