The rapid rise in electric vehicle (EV) ownership has sparked urgent questions about how long batteries last, where their materials originate, and whether consumers can trust the data they receive. Digital Product Passports (DPPs) address these questions by tracking every battery from mine to recycling. They also present verifiable environmental information in real time. This paper examines the willingness of EV buyers to use DPPs by extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2). This study incorporates factors such as perceived transparency, trust in authorities, and environmental concern. Analysis of responses from 99 survey participants, predominantly from younger generations, using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) reveals that perceived transparency and facilitating conditions have a significant influence on behavioral intention. Traditional drivers, such as effort expectancy and social influence, play a lesser role. The results show the significance of institutional trust and system readiness in influencing user adoption of early-stage, policy-driven technologies. This study contributes to technology acceptance theory in the context of sustainability. It offers practical implications for policymakers, manufacturers, and digital infrastructure providers seeking to implement credible and user-centric DPP systems for the circular economy.
Gamangatti et al. (Thu,) studied this question.