Investigating the Willingness to Purchase and Use Small Vehicles: An Empirical Study Through Internet-Based Survey

Abstract

Private cars are typically designed to accommodate more than one person. However, they are often used to transport one or two individuals only. A single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) is a private vehicle whose only occupant is the driver. Private vehicles are not fully utilized when only a single occupant is using it. That leads to unjustified traffic congestion and shortage in available parking spaces especially in mega cities. Recently, some car manufacturers developed small-sized vehicles (1-2 seaters) that can serve different classes of users. Small vehicles (SVs), commonly known as microcars, can occupy less space, which is beneficial for cities suffering from limited space where constructing new roads or upgrading the existing ones is infeasible. Furthermore, many microcars are electrically powered which makes them environment friendly. Microcars offer other advantages compared to motorcycles and bikes; they provide shelter from adverse weather conditions, allow for storage space for carrying personal belongings, and can be more culturally accepted in conservative societies such as Egypt, where this study took place. This study examines the public willingness to purchase and use microcars using Multinomial Logit (MNL) models. The data was collected using an internet-based survey where the sample size included 317 valid responses. The results showed that females, younger individuals, and people who do not own any private cars in the current time are more willing to purchase and use microcars. These results provide some useful insights into the willingness of individuals to purchase and use microcars.