Project Director

King, Jordan

Department Examiner

Reynolds, Bradley

Department

Honors College

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This thesis investigates the environmental, economic, and individual level factors influencing consumer adoption of electric vehicles and solar panels. Through a comprehensive scoping review and case-based analysis, it identifies key incentives and barriers related to purchase intentions for each alternative energy technology. Central factors influencing adoption include cost-related concerns, individual purchasing power, demographic effects, and policy impact. These findings suggest that targeted interventions – specifically those used to amplify incentives and mitigate barriers – can positively impact individual consumer purchase intention, including through bundling options. Highlighting the importance of integrated sustainability, this study explored how electric vehicles and solar panels can function in tandem to maximize both individual and collective environmental and economic benefits in the short- and long-term. It concludes with a conceptual framework for understanding the interrelationship of these technologies while providing actionable insights for policy makers, industry stakeholders, and individual consumers alike.

Degree

B. I. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Integrated Studies.

Date

8-2025

Subject

Electric vehicles; Environmental responsibility; Solar panels; Sustainability

Keyword

electric vehicles; solar panels; purchase intentions; sustainability; alternative transportation; renewable energy

Discipline

Sustainability

Document Type

Theses

Extent

iii, 44 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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