Abstract
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HFCVs) are expected to contribute to transport decarbonisation, but their successful deployment will depend not only on technological and infrastructural developments but also on attitudes and adoption intentions. This study examines the relative contribution of sociodemographic characteristics, mobility-related experiences, and psychosocial variables associated with attitudes towards HFCVs and adoption intentions among 1000 residents of the Community of Madrid, Spain, a region implementing ambitious hydrogen policies as part of its decarbonisation strategy. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey and analysed using hierarchical regression models. Sociodemographic characteristics and mobility-related experiences explained only a limited proportion of variance in both outcomes. In contrast, psychosocial variables accounted for substantially more variance in attitudes and adoption intentions. Perceived benefits and positive affect were most strongly associated with favourable attitudes, whereas perceived risks showed a smaller but significant negative association. Attitudes towards HFCVs were the variable most strongly associated with adoption intention, while subjective knowledge and interest in energy technologies also remained positively associated with adoption intentions. These findings highlight the importance of psychosocial variables in understanding public attitudes towards HFCVs and indicate that adoption intentions are associated not only with favourable attitudes but also with subjective knowledge and engagement with energy technologies. The study provides evidence that may inform communication, engagement, and policy initiatives supporting hydrogen mobility.