Driving the Future: Unpacking Factors Influencing Passengers' Switch to Electric Taxis in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract:

This study investigates key factors influencing passengers’ intention to switch from conventional taxis to electric taxis in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Employing a quantitative approach with a sample of 284 commuters, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) were utilized for data analysis. Findings revealed that perceived environmental benefits (PEB), perceived cost incentives (PCI), and service quality (SQ) significantly influenced switching intention (SWI), while social influence (SI) had no direct effect but indirectly affected intention through perceived environmental benefits. Among these factors, service quality exhibited the strongest direct influence, followed closely by perceived environmental benefits. IPMA highlighted that service quality and perceived environmental benefits had high importance and relatively high performance, emphasizing their strategic relevance for promoting electric taxi adoption. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers and businesses aiming to enhance electric taxi usage through improved service quality and environmental communication strategies.