Abstract
Despite the recognised economic and environmental benefits of Compressed Natural Gas
(CNG), its diffusion among commercial transporters in Nigeria remains limited. This study
examined the technological and innovation-related factors influencing the diffusion of CNG
vehicles among commercial transporters in Nigeria using constructs derived from the
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory.
Specifically, the study investigated the effects of perceived ease of use and relative advantage
on the diffusion (trialability) of CNG technology. A quantitative survey research design was
adopted. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to commercial
transporters across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Enugu. A total of 328 valid responses
were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) through SmartPLS software.
Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were employed to examine relationships among
the study variables. The findings revealed that perceived ease of use has a strong positive and
statistically significant effect on diffusion (β = 0.818, p < 0.001), indicating that transporters
are more willing to experiment with CNG technology when it is perceived as easy to operate
and maintain. Conversely, relative advantage was found to have a positive but statistically
insignificant effect on diffusion (β = 0.020, p = 0.794), suggesting that perceived economic
and operational benefits alone are insufficient to stimulate diffusion behaviour. The study
concludes that the diffusion of CNG technology among commercial transporters in Nigeria is
primarily usability-driven rather than benefit-driven. It therefore recommends improved
technical support systems, simplified operational processes, expansion of refuelling
infrastructure, and practical demonstration programmes to encourage experimentation and
wider diffusion of CNG technology.