Determinants of electric vehicle adoption in urban Ghana: an extended technology acceptance model approach

This study investigates the factors influencing urban drivers' willingness to adopt Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Accra Metropolis, Ghana. Using an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study integrates contextual variables, including government intervention, infrastructure availability, environmental consciousness, perceived risk, and socio-cultural influence, with socio-demographic covariates. Survey data from 300 internal combustion engine (ICE) drivers were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). These results establish critical contextual boundary conditions for the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). While Perceived Usefulness (PU) emerges as the dominant direct predictor of adoption intention, Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) exerts no direct behavioral impact. Instead, usability acts indirectly through PU, suggesting that in high-risk, infrastructure-poor environments, usability primarily operates through and supports economic and functional utility rather than acting as a strong independent driver. Contextual factors such as sociocultural norms and infrastructure significantly enhance these utility perceptions, whereas perceived risk acts as a major barrier. Furthermore, the inclusion of demographic controls revealed a compelling socioeconomic dynamic: while income positively drives adoption intent by mitigating upfront capital costs, higher educational attainment significantly decreases willingness to use, reflecting a pragmatic ‘informed skepticism’ regarding systemic macro-level deficits. Therefore, this study provides a vital evidence base for policymakers, demonstrating that achieving Ghana's sustainable urban mobility goals (SDG 11) requires a shift in focus from purely environmental appeals to establishing visible institutional support, reliable infrastructure, and targeted economic catalysts.