89 research outputs found
Marketing Clean and Efficient Vehicles: A Review of Social Marketing and Social Science Approaches
In this report, the authors discuss the potential role of social marketing research and program to increase consumer demand for clean and efficient vehicles. They discuss theories and research approaches in the social marketing stream that can guide multi-year research efforts and a "transformation of the automobile market." The authors also discuss the selection of data collection techniques, such as focus groups and Internet surveys, to aid in identifying and selecting appropriate research methods
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Symbolism In Early Markets For Hybrid Electric Vehicles
This study explores the symbolic meanings for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) being appropriated and communicated by the vehiclesâ owners. As symbolic meanings are shown to be important to HEV purchase and use, understanding both the meanings and the social processes in the construction of these meanings is essential for policy makers and others hoping to promote âgreenâ vehicles. HEVs embody new combinations of meanings in the vehicle market. Many observers who fail to recognize this struggle to explain why some people want HEVs. They may characterize HEV buyers as naĂŻve about calculating payback on fuel economy, or call HEVs âa badge of honorâ or status symbol. This research breaks through such simplistic categorizations. Through the telling and analysis of HEV buyersâ own stories this research takes a robust approach to understanding the creation and spread of new meanings and development of markets. Household buyers of the first generation of HEVs told these stories in semi-structured home interviews. Their stories are analyzed by drawing upon semiotics to explore the formation and structure of meanings. In particular, the study explores how widely recognized social (denotative) meanings are connected to more personal (connotative) meanings
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New Car Dealers and Retail Innovation in Californiaâs Plug-In Electric Vehicle Market
Innovative new products like plug-in electric vehicles may need new approaches to market and sell them. We 3 conducted 43 interviews with automakers and dealers selling plug-in vehicles in Californiaâs major metro markets 4 and analyzed data on customer satisfaction with new car dealers and Tesla retail stores. Initial findings revealed: 5 ⢠Plug-in vehicle buyers rated the dealer purchase experience much lower than conventional vehicle buyers 6 while Tesla earned industry-high scores; 7 ⢠Plug-in buyers expect more from dealers than conventional buyers, including product knowledge and support 8 that extends beyond traditional offerings; 9 ⢠Profits from plug-in vehicles may not be compelling enough to convince more dealers to take on the greater 10 demands of selling these alternatives 11 ⢠New retail approaches undertaken by dealer âpioneersâ, including new methods for building and scaling 12 dealer competence, could improve the PEV buying experience; and 13 ⢠More "retail friendly" public incentives could improve program effectiveness. 14 Evidence suggests that pre-existing retail structure in the automotive sector could spur retail innovations for PEVs, 15 but may also hinder the quality of customer support and pace of diffusion amongst dealers and customers. The paper 16 examines the implications of these findings and advances opportunities polic
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Plug-In Electric Vehicles: A Case Study of Seven Markets
At the current stage of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market development, sales rates vary dramatically across different countries and regions. For policy-makers and other stakeholders it is useful to understand the major social, economic, and policy drivers of vehicle adoption. This paper provides insights into the developing PEV markets in Norway, Netherlands, California, United States, France, Japan, and Germany. This is accomplished by applying a Technological Innovation System (TIS) approach that systematically identifies the role of different factors in promulgating new markets. Our comparison between markets shows that in all studied regions, sales of PEVs are supported through various types of government incentives, government resources, and other legitimation activities. However, regions with relatively strong PEV markets have a greater focus on market formation activities and relatively higher costs savings associated with operating an electric vehicle as compared to a conventional vehicle. To determine whether these factors are the primary determinants of PEV market shares, further research should be undertaken that also incorporates analysis related to the presence and government support for entrepreneurial activities related to electric vehicle innovation
CO2 emissions and mitigation policies for urban road transportation:Â Sao Paulo versus Shanghai
This paper compares the energy consumption, CO 2 emissions and public policies of two mega-cities, Sao Paulo (SP) and Shanghai (SH), in order to identify their GHG emissions mitigation policies. Both cities have experienced rapid growth of the automotive sectors resulting in sizable pollution and CO 2 emission challenges. SP has successfully implemented the ethanol and encouraged the growth of the fleet of light-duty vehicles. SH has coal-based power generation and restricted the ownership of the vehicles in an attempt to reduce GHG emissions, invested in public transportation and electric mobility. Tabular analysis of secondary data was adopted in this study, revealing also that SP has considerably expanded individual transportation. Despite investments in ethanol, the city could not contain the increase in CO 2 emissions from road transportation. SH invested in public transportation and inhibited individual transportation, but also failed to contain CO 2 emissions. Mitigation policies and measures taken were not sufficient to prevent growth of CO 2 emissions in both cities. To reduce CO 2 emissions in transportation, SP and SH should focus on public policies to encourage public and clean transportation and limit the burning of fossil fuels.publishersversionpublishe
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Integrating Plug-in Electric Vehicles into the Grid: Policy Entrepreneurship in California
The deployment of large numbers of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), in order to satisfy zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) goals in California, brings both potential benefits and costs for the electric grid. Since early 2009, the issue of so-called vehicle-grid integration (VGI) has become a center-stage policy discussion among the electricity and transportation sectors. By conducting a policy process analysis, this research addresses the questions of how the policy process for VGI regulations has been formed in California, and what have been the major challenges in policy-making. A series of interviews were conducted between with representatives of 18 organizations from the government, electric utility, and PEV sectors. The qualitative data is analyzed under the three dimensions of policy process; problem, politics, and policy as suggested by Multiple Streams framework (Kingdon, 1995). The results show that a policy window for VGI regulations was opened for the first time by the political stream, through State Senate Bill 626 in 2009, and later, supported by the Governorâs ZEV action plan in 2012. In response, the California Public Utility Commission became a policy entrepreneur, and has adopted an incremental policy-making strategy targeting investor-owned utilities (IOUs). The two largest barriers facing an effective policy solution are identified as the complexities involved in quantifying economic value from VGI and the feasibility concerns about adopting VGI enabling technologies on the grid
A review of consumer preferences of and interactions with electric vehicle charging infrastructure
This paper presents a literature review of studies that investigate infrastructure needs to support the market introduction of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). It focuses on literature relating to consumer preferences for charging infrastructure, and how consumers interact with and use this infrastructure. This includes studies that use questionnaire surveys, interviews, modelling, GPS data from vehicles, and data from electric vehicle charging equipment. These studies indicate that the most important location for PEV charging is at home, followed by work, and then public locations. Studies have found that more effort is needed to ensure consumers have easy access to PEV charging and that charging at home, work, or public locations should not be free of cost. Research indicates that PEV charging will not impact electricity grids on the short term, however charging may need to be managed when the vehicles are deployed in greater numbers. In some areas of study the literature is not sufficiently mature to draw any conclusions from. More research is especially needed to determine how much infrastructure is needed to support the roll out of PEVs. This paper ends with policy implications and suggests avenues of future research
A core outcome set for preâeclampsia research: an international consensus development study
Objective
To develop a core outcome set for preâeclampsia.
Design
Consensus development study.
Setting
International.
Population
Two hundred and eightâone healthcare professionals, 41 researchers and 110 patients, representing 56 countries, participated.
Methods
Modified Delphi method and Modified Nominal Group Technique.
Results
A longâlist of 116 potential core outcomes was developed by combining the outcomes reported in 79 preâeclampsia trials with those derived from thematic analysis of 30 inâdepth interviews of women with lived experience of preâeclampsia. Fortyâseven consensus outcomes were identified from the Delphi process following which 14 maternal and eight offspring core outcomes were agreed at the consensus development meeting. Maternal core outcomes: death, eclampsia, stroke, cortical blindness, retinal detachment, pulmonary oedema, acute kidney injury, liver haematoma or rupture, abruption, postpartum haemorrhage, raised liver enzymes, low platelets, admission to intensive care required, and intubation and ventilation. Offspring core outcomes: stillbirth, gestational age at delivery, birthweight, smallâforâgestationalâage, neonatal mortality, seizures, admission to neonatal unit required and respiratory support.
Conclusions
The core outcome set for preâeclampsia should underpin future randomised trials and systematic reviews. Such implementation should ensure that future research holds the necessary reach and relevance to inform clinical practice, enhance women's care and improve the outcomes of pregnant women and their babies
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Who Will Buy Electric Cars?
1998 will be a big year for both automakers and clean-air advocates. In less than three years, the seven largest car sellers in California must sell zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) - 2 percent of their sales of vehicles under 3750 lbs loaded weight. Given the size of the current market, that's about 20,000 vehicles and they most likely will be electric cars. By 2003, 10 percent must be zero-emitters. The crux is that the government requires the auto industry to put ZEVs on the market without requiring consumers to buy them. The big manufacturers say electric cars cost too much to make and consumers won't choose them, even if prices were to match those of gasoline vehicles. The automakers have threatened to raise the price of gasoline vehicles to offset their losses. Much of the debate hinges on just how many Californians - or other car buyers throughout the world - will want an electric vehicle (EV)
Recommended from our members
Who Will Buy Electric Cars?
1998 will be a big year for both automakers and clean-air advocates. In less than three years, the seven largest car sellers in California must sell zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) - 2 percent of their sales of vehicles under 3750 lbs loaded weight. Given the size of the current market, that's about 20,000 vehicles and they most likely will be electric cars. By 2003, 10 percent must be zero-emitters. The crux is that the government requires the auto industry to put ZEVs on the market without requiring consumers to buy them. The big manufacturers say electric cars cost too much to make and consumers won't choose them, even if prices were to match those of gasoline vehicles. The automakers have threatened to raise the price of gasoline vehicles to offset their losses. Much of the debate hinges on just how many Californians - or other car buyers throughout the world - will want an electric vehicle (EV)
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