Understanding Consumer Sentiments Towards Two-Wheeler Electric Vehicles: Implications for Organizational Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
摘要
Electric vehicles (EVs) are essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. Despite being the world’s fifth-largest car market, India’s adoption of electric mobility lags behind other nations. For instance, in Germany, 26% of vehicles are electric, compared to 18% in France and the UK, and 14% in Beijing (Singh et al. 2021). In stark contrast, the Indian EV market shows significantly lower penetration, with sales figures trailing far behind these countries (Gambhir 2017). In the fiscal year 2021, India produced 22.65 million vehicles, with 81% being two-wheelers, underscoring the nation’s preference for this mode of transport (Jain 2022). However, only about 1.3% of these were electric two-wheelers. This study examines the perceptions of young Indian consumers towards electric two-wheelers using sentiment analysis on Twitter data. We identified key concerns and positive attitudes towards electric two-wheelers by analyzing tweets collected with relevant hashtags. The findings reveal a growing interest in EVs, yet significant barriers such as battery life, cost, and performance persist. These insights are crucial for policymakers and manufacturers to address consumer apprehensions and enhance EV adoption. The research underscores the importance of understanding consumer sentiment in shaping corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and promoting pro-environmental behavior among employees. By leveraging these insights, organizations can develop targeted strategies that align with consumer expectations, foster a culture of sustainability, and contribute to a greener future. The study’s implications extend to HR and marketing strategies, providing a foundation for developing comprehensive sustainability policies and innovative product development initiatives.