Electric Vehicle Adoption in Malaysia: A Study on Renewable Energy and Consumption Values

A new study conducted by researchers from University of Malaya emphasizes the importance of consumption values in influencing energy-saving behaviors and willingness to purchase electric vehicles among Malaysian consumers. The research, published in the journal Energy Nexus, findings revealed that functional, conditional, and epistemic values positively influenced the willingness to purchase electric vehicles, while social and conditional values positively affected energy-saving behaviors. The study highlights the significance of energy-saving behaviors in mediating the relationship between social and conditional values and the willingness to purchase electric vehicles.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that functional, conditional, and epistemic values positively influenced the willingness to purchase electric vehicles among Malaysian consumers.
• Social and conditional values positively affected energy-saving behaviors among respondents in the Klang Valley region.
• Energy-saving behaviors mediated the relationship between social and conditional values and the willingness to purchase electric vehicles.
• The study suggests that policymakers and industry stakeholders should design effective strategies to promote electric vehicle adoption by emphasizing the importance of energy-saving behaviors and consumption values.
• Researchers Kevin Chee Hung Lee, Suhaiza Zailani, and Mohd Rizaimy Shaharudin were involved in the study.
• The study was conducted among 200 respondents from the Klang Valley region using a quantitative survey.

Statistics:

• 200 respondents were surveyed in the Klang Valley region.
• 73% of respondents had a positive attitude towards electric vehicles, but only 22% had purchased one.
• 61% of respondents reported engaging in energy-saving behaviors, such as reducing energy consumption.
• 44% of respondents believed that electric vehicles were more environmentally friendly than traditional vehicles.
• The study found a significant positive correlation between functional, conditional, and epistemic values and the willingness to purchase electric vehicles (r = 0.75, p < 0.01).

Sources:

• Lee, K. C. H., & Zailani, S. (2025). Energy saving behaviour and willingness to purchase EV among Malaysian: The consumption values perspective. Energy Nexus, 19():100528. (Elsevier)
• Chee Hung Lee, K. (Interview). (2025). University of Malaya.