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Using a unique panel dataset on air pollution and car sales from thirty major cities in China across three years, we estimate the impact of air pollution on the adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles. To identify the causal effect, we use three sets of interactive fixed effects to control for a large group of potential confounders and an instrument for the air pollution variable. Our results show that worse air quality leads consumers to purchase more hybrid and electric cars, and the effect is larger in cities with higher incomes. These findings are consistent with predictions from the social preferences theory and point out new directions for strategies to promote the adoption of hybrid and electric cars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, it can be seen that the automotive market has been developing quite rapidly, especially when it comes to electric cars. This is because the development of sustainable cars seems to be an extremely important issue at the moment. Nowadays, cars with different propulsion systems (among others electric, hybrid, gas, or hydrogen) can be met on the roads. But, political action is mainly aimed at electric cars. Such an approach will certainly lead to fundamental changes in production processes in the near future via the emergence and development of new technologies in the field of electric passenger cars. Therefore, the manuscript discusses the concept of vehicles with different types of power supply, with the main emphasis on electric vehicles. The essence of electric vehicles, their genesis, rationale for development, and growth are indicated. The different markets around the world, through the prism of, on the one hand, programs supporting the purchase and use of this type of vehicle and, on the other hand, factors limiting and inhibiting their uptake, are also discussed. The research was conducted in a group of both current and potential drivers from Eastern Poland, with different categories of grouping variables used in the analyses. On the basis of the research carried out and the results obtained, it can be argued that due to various factors, the respondents' opinions are varied, and there are no unambiguous conclusions stating that such solutions will soon be available. Indeed, a number of doubts and barriers were noted among respondents. Driver preferences are therefore a key issue, but production capacity and the profitability of investments in the purchase of vehicles with an electric power supply should also be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores environmental hypocrisy, wherein individuals or groups profess pro-environmental beliefs but engage in incongruent behaviors. This study investigates whether the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles (EHVs) in the United States reflects genuine concern for the environment or a form of environmental hypocrisy. It makes use of panel U.S. state-level data to examine how pro-environmental attitudes influence the adoption of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs), and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). The study provides evidence of environmental hypocrisy, which is supported by the fact that U.S. states with a higher proportion of survey respondents expressing pro-environmental attitudes exhibit a reduced preference for HEVs. In addition, the adoption of PHEVs and PEVs does not correlate significantly with pro-environmental sentiments; rather, economic considerations emerge as the primary influencing factor. The policy recommendations offered depend on the specific focus of policymakers. For those aiming to boost EHV adoption through any means, the study suggests short-term measures aligning with individual preferences of EHV buyers. However, for those who seek to tackle environmental hypocrisy, it is essential to go beyond individual actions and consider collective and systemic changes that foster a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility over the long term. • Electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions can help reduce environmental emissions. • Study evaluates environmental hypocrisy in electric and hybrid vehicle adoption. • Pro-environmental attitudes correlate negatively with hybrid vehicle adoptions. • Economic, not environmental concerns, drive plug-in vehicle adoptions. • Short-term and long-term policies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicles (EHVs) are among many solutions that can help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and their resulting GHG emissions. This study addresses the significant and understudied question of how EHVs' adoption influences CO 2 emissions using panel U.S. state-level data over the 2016-2019 period and fixed effects. The study finds no statistically significant relationship between the adoption of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and CO 2 emissions. These findings could be explained by adoption rates of HEVs and PHEVs that are too low to manifest statistically significant reductions in CO 2 emissions from the potential displacement of internal-combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The findings also align with observations indicating that PEVs, although emission-free, are frequently adopted as supplementary rather than primary vehicles by multi-vehicle households in the U.S. The complexities surrounding EHVs and their impact on CO 2 emissions highlight the importance of further research in understanding the role these vehicles play in the larger context of sustainable transportation as well as more nuanced research into adoption patterns, potential policy interventions, and broader environmental implications. [Display omitted] • Electric and hybrid vehicles can reduce emissions and fight climate change. • The relationship between electric and hybrid vehicles and CO 2 emissions is examined. • U.S. state-level data for the 2016-2019 period are used for the analysis. • There is no evidence that electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions reduce emissions. • Various plausible explanations of the results and recommendations are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]