Global drivers and barriers to the public acceptance of autonomous vehicles: Evidence from 17 countries

2026-07-15

AI Summary

This study investigates the key determinants of global public acceptance of Level 3 conditional automated vehicles, addressing the limitation in existing literature that relies predominantly on European samples. Grounded in the UTAUT2 theoretical framework, the research employs structural equation modeling to conduct a cross-cultural comparative analysis using data from the L3Pilot survey, which encompasses 18,603 respondents across 17 countries on five continents. For the first time, the study validates and extends the applicability of UTAUT2 in the context of Level 3 automation within a globally diverse sample. Results reveal that performance expectancy, social influence, and hedonic motivation are the primary drivers of behavioral intention, whereas effort expectancy and demographic variables exhibit weaker effects. The model demonstrates strong explanatory power, uncovering universal mechanisms underlying acceptance behavior across cultures.

Abstract

This study investigated the public acceptance of Society of Automotive Engineers Level 3 conditionally automated cars, which can self-drive under certain specified conditions but require the human driver to remain ready to resume control when requested. Previous Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2)-based research has focused mainly on European samples, and so it is still unclear whether the same factors shape acceptance across broader world regions. This knowledge gap was addressed using the L3Pilot Global User Acceptance Survey. From an original dataset of 18,631 respondents, the final analytic sample comprised 18,603 respondents from 17 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. The data were analyzed using a UTAUT2-based structural equation model to examine how performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and hedonic motivation shape the intention to use Level 3 cars. The model showed strong explanatory power. Across the analytic sample, the intention to use Level 3 cars was driven mainly by performance expectancy, social influence, and hedonic motivation. Effort expectancy and facilitating conditions also contributed, but they played smaller direct roles. Age, gender, and previous experience with advanced driver assistance systems were statistically significant, but comparatively weak predictors. Overall, the findings suggest that the acceptance of Level 3 automated cars depends less on demographic characteristics or ease-of-use concerns and more on whether people see the technology as useful, socially supported, and enjoyable to use.

Problem

• autonomous vehicles
• public acceptance
• Level 3 automation
• global survey
• UTAUT2

Innovation

• autonomous vehicles
• UTAUT2
• cross-cultural acceptance
• Level 3 automation
• public perception