Title: Development of electric vehicle: public perception and attitude, the Malaysian approach

Authors: Ataur Rahman; Rafia Afroz; Zahirul Alam

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, 50728 KL, Malaysia ' Faculty of Economics and Management Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 50728 KL, Malaysia ' Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, 50728 KL, Malaysia

Abstract: The rising energy demand has compounded with fuel subsidies and a volatility of oil prices has set the transport sector on an unsustainable course and posed a threat to national energy security in Malaysia. Moreover, it contributes significantly to the green house gas (GHG) emission and causes health as well as environmental damages. Green transport is a feasible transportation technology capable of setting the transportation sector in a sustainable course. The focus of this study is to develop an electric car driven by an electrical motor powered by 84.6 kWh of LiFePO₄ battery with an evaporative cooling battery thermal management system (EC-BThMS). The EC-BThMS has been able to keep the battery temperature in the range of 25°C to 40°C. The justification of the introduction of green vehicle was made by the investigation of public preference and attitude towards green transport. The results of the survey indicate that 54% of respondents seriously like to purchase environmental friendly green transport.

Keywords: electric vehicles; vehicle design; public perceptions; public attitudes; battery power packs; EC-BThMS; evaporative cooling; battery thermal management systems; thermal sensors; Malaysia; green transport; sustainable development; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2014.067231

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2014 Vol.5 No.2, pp.149 - 167

Received: 18 Oct 2013
Accepted: 06 Aug 2014
Published online: 14 Feb 2015 *

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