Intention-behaviour gap

The transition toward electric mobility has generated a substantial body of research on the psychological, economic, and social forces that shape consumer behaviour toward electric vehicles (EVs). The majority of this literature, however, has concentrated on purchase intention as the principal outcome variable, leaving the subsequent stages of the consumer decision journey comparatively under-examined. This narrative review synthesises findings from a broad cross-section of peer-reviewed studies to map how perceived benefits, comprising environmental, economic, functional, hedonic, symbolic, and policy-related dimensions, translate into purchase intention and, more importantly, how intention subsequently unfolds into actual purchase behaviour, post-purchase satisfaction, continuance, and advocacy. Drawing on established behavioural frameworks, including the theory of planned behaviour, the technology acceptance model, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, and the value-belief-norm theory, the review identifies consistent evidence that environmental concern and financial value remain robust predictors of intention, while hedonic and symbolic benefits exert an increasingly influential role in maturing EV markets. The review further highlights an emerging and consequential stream of research documenting the intention-behaviour gap, whereby stated willingness to purchase an EV frequently fails to materialise into an actual transaction because of contextual constraints such as budget, charging access, and vehicle body-style preferences. Post-purchase constructs, including satisfaction, task-technology fit, and green self-identity, are shown to determine continuance intention and word-of-mouth behaviour among existing owners. The review concludes by identifying conceptual and methodological gaps, most notably the scarcity of longitudinal and behavioural, as opposed to self-reported, data, and offers directions for future research and policy design intended to convert positive perceptions into durable adoption behaviour.