Insights into User Acceptance of Battery Swapping Services for Sustainable Micromobility using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 Model

Abstract

Intelligent Battery Swapping Services (BSSs) present an innovative solution to the challenges of charging, safety hazards, and disorganized battery management encountered by electric micromobility vehicles (EMVs). Although BSSs have gained traction in the business-to-business domain, their acceptance in the business-to-customer sector remains uncertain. This study leverages the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) combined with a structural equation modeling framework to discern the adoption intentions toward BSS among individual drivers. Drawing from a survey of 434 EMV users in Jiangsu Province, China, we analyzed the relationship between latent variables, while also evaluating the moderating effects of sociodemographic and transport-related factors via multi-group analysis. The findings revealed a model with impressive explanatory power, accounting for approximately 54.8% of the variance in intention. Notably, social influence emerged as the most potent influencer on intention, trailed by effortlessness expectancy, price sensitivity, and performance expectancy. Intriguingly, both price sensitivity and technology anxiety exhibited a negative correlation with intention. Furthermore, variables such as gender, age, income, riding purpose, and riding frequency were found to significantly shape users’ intentions to embrace BSS. This research offers valuable insights for policy makers aiming to promote BSS adoption among EMV users and encourage the EMV market’s growth and sustainability.