A model of extended technology acceptance for behavioral intention toward EVs with gender as a moderator

Technology has contributed significantly to the adoption of EVs (EVs) in the era of industry 4. 0. However, consumer intentions for EVs have been elusive, and the pace of adoption has been confined. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of external factors in promoting customer behavioral intention for EVs. The study also investigates the mediating role of perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU) between external factors and consumer intentions for EVs. It also examined the moderating role of gender on the study variables. A study approach based on the expanded version of the technology acceptance model (TAM) was utilized to analyse data from 203 customers in China. The model was tested using structural equation model (SEM) and multigroup analysis (MGA) techniques. The results indicated that two external factors have a positive relationship with TAM constructs. The results also indicate that PEU and PU have a serial mediating relationship between external factors and behavioral intention. Finally, the study revealed gender-related differences in TAM for EVs. The study's findings help managers to design successful strategies by knowing the external factors impacting customer EV intentions and gender differences. Finally, this is a ground-breaking research that applies TAM to the automobile sector. As a result, examining both new and current factors and evaluating them in a new setting adds to the body of the literature on the adoption of technology.