The study investigates whether the large difference in battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake between Norway and Italy could be explained by differences in car buyers’ preference structures, either in terms of their evaluation of the vehicles’ characteristics or in terms of their perceptions\attitudes towards BEVs. Based on stated preference data collected in the two countries, we find that car drivers evaluate vehicle attributes very similarly. Norwegians value BEV driving range slightly more and are more sensitive to fuel\electricity costs. Ceteris paribus, Italian
respondents, in contrast to Norwegian ones, still prefer petrol cars to BEVs. The results of the integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model indicate that respondents’ perceptions\attitudes influence car choice in both countries. In Norway, BEVs are preferred by those who view them as economically, environmentally, technically, and morally superior. In Italy, the evidence is similar but for the environmental aspects, which are not decisive for BEV choice. Such perceptions\attitudes are correlated with age, sex, and BEV density.
