THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE JOINT PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS: EVIDENCE FROM CALIFORNIA

Abstract

Environmentally friendly choices can make more impact when these are taken in combination. For example, purchasing electric vehicles (EV) and solar photovoltaics (PV) simultaneously. Previous studies suggest that although EVs emit fewer pollutants than conventional vehicles, they increase energy consumption, and that usually comes with more environmental damage. Installing solar PV can be a solution by producing energy while reducing our carbon footprints. This study analyzes the factors that influence the joint purchase of EVs and solar PV. The findings show that higher income and higher education levels significantly impact making these choices. The study also reveals that there is a gender gap in this purchase decisions, as nonbinary people show significant negative effects. More specifically, female and nonbinary consumers are less likely to purchase EVs. While considering future decisions, this study finds that higher education and nonbinary gender show similar effects of current choice analysis for future choice analysis. However, women show a positive impact on purchasing EVs but a negative impact on installing solar in the future.