Promoting Electric Vehicle Adoption Intention: Insights from Ride-Hailing Drivers in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

This study examines how ride-hailing drivers in Ho Chi Minh City construct their intention to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) using a qualitative research design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with ride-hailing drivers and were analysed thematically to capture their lived experiences and meaning-making processes. The findings indicate that adoption intention does not stem from a single determinant but develops through an ongoing negotiation between perceived opportunities and uncertainties. Rather than expressing simple acceptance or rejection, drivers describe a gradual evaluative process shaped by everyday economic considerations, social interactions, and risk assessments. Five interrelated themes emerge from the analysis. Attitudes toward EVs are formed pragmatically through comparisons with gasoline vehicles, particularly in terms of cost efficiency and service quality. Economic rationality dominates decision-making, as drivers prioritise income stability and financial risk management. Environmental concern provides moral support but rarely outweighs economic priorities. Social influence from peers, passengers, and platforms enhances perceived feasibility, while resistance to change reflects concerns about technological uncertainty and potential income disruption. Overall, adoption becomes viable only when perceived benefits outweigh livelihood-related risks.