Social acceptance of innovative technologies is often overlooked in the framework of energy system optimization modeling (ESOM), especially concerning the decarbonization of the transport sector. Neglecting social acceptance in ESOMs can translate into ineffective support to policy-making and sub-optimal strategies. The primary objective of this study is to identify the key criteria influencing social acceptance through an extensive literature review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method was used to identify the main criteria and to classify them into three categories: a. social-psychological factors (i.e., level of education, gender, awareness of electric vehicles, income level, environmental concern) b.