This study analyzes the interaction between legitimacy, innovation, uncertainty, and electric vehicle (EV) purchase intention in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and data from 2016 to 2023, the relationships between these key variables are assessed. The results show that legitimacy has a positive impact on purchase intention, while innovation influences legitimacy but does not directly affect purchase intention. Uncertainty moderates these relationships in complex ways. The findings suggest that enhancing the perception of legitimacy is crucial to increase EV purchase intention, and strategies promoting innovation and managing uncertainty can improve market acceptance.

The starting point is the presence of a widespread feeling of political confrontation and division among Spanish citizens. This is compounded by dissatisfaction with and distrust in a system that is perceived by many as elitist and out of touch with real needs. Several factors related to this perception of politics are explained and quantified. On the one hand, there are economic elements, such as the stagnation of GDP per capita, the persistence of a relatively high at-risk-of-poverty rate, and the rates of material deprivation. And in all these elements, a significant territorial inequality can be observed. There are significant differences between Spain, France and Germany over the period considered. On the other hand, political factors determine much of the public debate in Spain: Historical memory and the Spanish Civil War, as well as the terrorism of ETA and other terrorist groups. The emergence of new parties is analyzed, especially VOX. Finally, the enormous difficulty of finding a territorial structure of political power that would bring together the consensus of most political forces. It is necessary to find formulas for fiscal federalism that will make it possible to move away from the current decentralization of spending without the Autonomous Communities having their own tax capacity. This study concludes by pointing out the relevance of all these problems and the need to find solutions through democratic debate and deliberation with agreements.