Intention to adopt autonomous vehicles in China: a comparative study among residents in different-sized cities

Transitioning to a fully Level-5 autonomous vehicle (AV) environment presents numerous challenges, notably influenced by public adoption intention. Previous studies have shown limitations in scope, population, and methodology. This study expands the Technology Acceptance Model to investigate AVs adoption intention across various city sizes in China. Through surveys in China, 2,662 responses were gathered in 2021 from mega, large, and small-to-medium cities. Using Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes models, the study examines influencing factors on AVs adoption intention and population heterogeneities. Key findings emphasize the importance of adoption attitude, information provision, and perceived AV usefulness. Additionally, the impact of financial incentives, convenience, and several other factors varies across city sizes. The insights gained from the study can be utilized to develop more cost-effective policies and strategies tailored to different subgroups of the population to fully utilize the potential benefits of AVs while minimizing unintended consequences across diverse urban settings.