Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Selection of Environmentally Friendly Electric Vehicles Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods

Abstract

With the automotive industry’s rapid transition toward sustainable mobility, electric vehicles are seeing increasing demand due to their environmental benefits and advanced technologies. In line with this growing demand, automakers have introduced numerous electric vehicle models to the market in order to maintain a competitive edge. However, due to information gaps, subjective judgment, and variability, selecting the best electric vehicle has brought complex decision-making processes and uncertainties for users. Furthermore, from the manufacturers’ perspective, it is fair to say that this has created various risks and challenges regarding how to enhance their competitive strength in the growing electric vehicle market. This study aims to identify the factors influencing environmentally conscious electric vehicle preferences in Turkey and to present the most suitable alternatives for consumers in light of these factors. Accordingly, Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods were utilized to thoroughly and comprehensibly analyze the increasingly complex decision-making processes. The criteria related to electric vehicle selection, obtained through an extensive literature review, were evaluated using Entropy-based TOPSIS methods, along with the seven best-selling electric vehicle brands in Turkey in 2025. The findings indicate that the most important criteria influencing electric vehicle selection are range and battery power. Additionally, it was concluded that the electric vehicle brands with the highest recommendations based on these criteria are the A3 and A5-coded vehicle brands.