Driving Factors for Women's Switch to Electric Vehicles in Conservative Kuwait

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Andri Ottesen
Sumayya Banna
Basil Alzougool
Vladimir Simović

Abstract

Electric Vehicles (EV) is probably the most disruptive and innovative product since the introduction of a smart phone in 2007. However, attitude of women towards (EV) in oil rich and conservative countries like Kuwait has not been explored. The aim of this research is to bridge that gap with this study that employed a quantitative method, that is a questionnaire of 234 women drivers. Results showed that more than half of participated women would buy an EV within the next 3 years, if several conditions were met; including cheaper purchasing pricing with government assistance and availability of suitable infrastructure for EV relating to charging stations, fast lanes, and free parking spaces. More than forty percent of the participants would also seriously start thinking about buying EV if the gas/fuel prices increase between 50% to 199% and thought that EVs are safer in relation to fire and car crashes. Moreover, they would pay 6%-20% more for an EV that is both environmentally friendly and much quicker than gasoline cars. In addition, about forty percent of women drivers would be able to charge EV in their residential areas in Kuwait. This study discussed a variety of valuable suggestions to overcome the barriers of EVs introductions to Kuwait and marketing strategies altogether with government initiatives and policies. One of the key conclusions is the fact that focused educational efforts should be undertaken to help female owners in Kuwait to understand better the benefits and the overall potential of EV. 

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