Asian Journal of Sociological Research

This study investigates the determinants of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Myanmar and identifies public preferences for policy actions that could enhance uptake. Specifically, it examines the role of government incentives, public awareness, and charging infrastructure in shaping adoption behavior factors that are central to sustainable mobility and the global energy transition. Myanmar’s EV policy and energy transition initiatives began in the 2022 fiscal year, and this research was conducted in 2024 in the urban centers of Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw. The study is motivated by the slow pace of EV adoption in Myanmar, largely due to limited infrastructure only 73 public charging stations (around 200 plugs) and approximately 6,000 imported EVs nationwide by FY2025 as well as low public awareness and limited support from regional governments. In line with other emerging markets, Myanmar’s adoption challenges stem from infrastructural, informational, and behavioral constraints. Using a survey-based approach, the study explores the determinants of adoption and public preferences for policy interventions. Results show that satisfaction with charging infrastructure and awareness of government incentives significantly encourage adoption, while concerns about charging times act as barriers. Most respondents indicated a preference for expanding the number of public charging stations over financial incentives, highlighting infrastructure availability as the most pressing need and widespread income constraints that restrict access to EVs for lower- and middle-income households. This study contributes to the literature by providing practical implications for government planning, infrastructure development, and awareness programs. More importantly, it contributes to Myanmar by offering empirical evidence to guide national EV policy and accelerate an inclusive energy transition tailored to the country’s economic realities and infrastructural constraints.