Electrifying The Road Ahead: Survey-Based Insights into Public Awareness, Policy Support, and Barriers to Ev Adoption in Smart Cities of Karnataka

The global transition toward sustainable transportation has placed electric vehicles (EVs) at the forefront of policy and consumer discussions. This study investigates public awareness, perceptions, and barriers related to EV adoption in selected smart cities of Karnataka—Davangere, Shivamogga, and Hubballi-Dharwad. Using a structured questionnaire and responses from 384 participants, the research evaluates the levels of awareness regarding EV technology and government policies, public perceptions of policy effectiveness and incentives, and the infrastructural and psychological barriers hindering EV adoption. A combination of descriptive statistics, Likert-scale analysis, and hypothesis testing was employed to draw insights from the data. Findings reveal that while a high percentage (92.7%) of respondents are aware of electric vehicles, awareness regarding specific government policies and infrastructure remains comparatively low. Public trust in policy effectiveness is mixed, with affordability and lack of charging stations emerging as primary concerns. Statistically significant associations were observed between demographic variables (such as income, education, and age) and EV purchase intentions. Hypothesis testing further demonstrated that policy awareness, range anxiety, and upfront costs are influential in shaping public attitudes toward EVs. The study underscores the importance of targeted policy communication, infrastructure expansion, and educational outreach to improve EV adoption rates. Despite certain limitations in geographic scope and methodology, the research provides actionable insights for policymakers, manufacturers, and urban planners to design more inclusive and responsive EV strategies. Keywords: Electric Vehicles, Public Awareness, EV Policy Perception, Adoption Barriers