Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is essential for advancing sustainable transportation, yet understanding how consumer behavior shapes adoption outcomes remain a complex challenge. Consumer EV adoption rates have not met vehicle manufacturer expectations as measured by the growth of manufacturer EV inventory and less than desired sales rate. This study conducts a systematic literature review using the Antecedent-Decision-Outcome (ADO) framework to analyze hundreds of research articles. The review identifies key behavioral drivers, decision-making processes, and adoption outcomes, offering insights into the theoretical and contextual factors influencing EV adoption.

Articles were systematically selected following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, using inclusion and exclusion criteria to filter thousands of studies. Research themes were categorized into the ADO framework: antecedents (economic incentives, social influences), decision-making factors (trialability, perceived value), and outcomes (adoption rates). This categorization informed an analysis of theoretical foundations, contextual influences, and research methods.

The review highlights consistent consumer behavior factors influencing EV adoption, while identifying machine learning as a promising tool for uncovering complex behavioral patterns. Articles were critically evaluated for their application of behavioral theories, their methodological rigor in study design and analysis, and their practical relevance to real-world challenges. Specifically, the review assessed whether the studies effectively utilized established behavioral theories (Theory of Planned Behavior, Technology Acceptance Model, Protection Motivation Theory and Theory of Reasoned Action) to explain EV adoption decisions. The methodological rigor of each study was analyzed by examining the design, data collection, and analytical approaches to ensure reliability and validity. This ensured that the findings not only advanced theoretical understanding but also provided actionable strategies for policymakers and industry stakeholders to accelerate EV adoption and address diverse consumer needs.

Key words: EV adoption, Electric vehicles, Consumer Behavior, ADO framework