Abstract:

The long-term goal of the EU to achieve a competitive low-carbon economy is mainly focused on encouraging environmentally sustainable investments, in particular with regard to reducing energy consumption in buildings, the transition to electric vehicles and developing smart electricity networks, thus promoting the use of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Transport is one of the key sectors responsible for EU emissions, the diffusion of electric vehicles (EVs) could facilitate a huge reduction. Therefore, since the announcement of 2050 Roadmap in 2009, there has been a great increase in studies exploring the viability of transition to e-mobility in a Europe-wide context, identifying common factors and variables. This study is based on an extensive and up-to-date review of the existing literature on e-mobility in Europe, with the main aim of identifying and mapping the motivators and barriers for the diffusion of electric mobility through three levels of decision-making: Formal Social Units, Collective Decision-Making Units, and Individual Units. Results of the analysis identifies that the main barriers are lack of charging infrastructure; economic restrictions and cost concerns; technical and operational restrictions; lack of trust; information and knowledge; limited supply of electricity and raw materials; and practicability concerns. Thus, key motivators appear to be environmental, economic and technical benefits associated with EVs, as well as personal and demographic factors. There is a strong need for researchers, practitioners and governments alike to take action to strengthen the motivators and eliminate the barriers.