The prospects of adopting electric vehicles in urban contexts: A systematic review of literature

Electric vehicles (EVs) provide essential solutions to sustainable urban transportation systems while helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This study performed a systematic review of 32 peer-reviewed articles from 2004 to 2024 to identify the main drivers of electric vehicle adoption in urban areas. The study’s findings are categorized into five primary themes through inductive and deductive coding: economic, social, infrastructural, technological, and policy-related factors. Government interventions through financial incentives and stricter emissions regulations demonstrate their importance as policy-related factors which account for 25 % of reviewed literature. Economic aspects (22 %) influence consumer choices by addressing affordability and operational expenses along with financial advantages. The infrastructure sector (21 %) together with technology (20%) serve as primary forces pushing for extensive charging networks, expanded power grids and better battery and charging systems. The impact of consumer behaviour along with environmental awareness and societal perceptions accounts for 12 % of social factors influencing EV acceptance. The research exposes major differences between developed and emerging markets which indicates a necessity for customised EV adoption approaches. Developed areas focus on advancing technology and policy development whereas emerging markets encounter difficulties related to financial access and infrastructure constraints. Future studies need to investigate how EVs can be adopted by people living in rural locations as well as those from underrepresented demographic sectors. This research delivers essential guidance for decision-makers in government and industry along with urban developers to establish a system that boosts EV adoption towards sustainable city transportation.