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Regulatory commitment versus non-commitment: Electric vehicle adoption under subsidies and emission standards

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  • Theilen, Bernd
  • Tomori, Françeska

Abstract

We compare two regulatory structures in the application of emission standards and a subsidy scheme in the automobile market. The regulator can either commit to an emission standard or is not able to commit. Firms compete á la Cournot and produce fuel-powered and electric vehicles. The emissions of fuel-powered vehicles can be abated by means of investing in emission-reducing innovation. Our results indicate that under commitment there are less emissions, higher subsidies and a major adoption of electric vehicles. By contrast, non-commitment yields more fuel-powered vehicles, more vehicles in total and higher consumer surplus. Electric vehicle producers obtain higher profits under commitment, whereas fuel-powered vehicle producers might be better off under both regulatory structures. Social welfare is higher under non-commitment as long as environmental damages are regarded severe. Otherwise, commitment is socially preferable. This result provides an explanation for observed differences in the duration of environmental standards between the US, the EU and China.

Suggested Citation

  • Theilen, Bernd & Tomori, Françeska, 2023. "Regulatory commitment versus non-commitment: Electric vehicle adoption under subsidies and emission standards," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:resene:v:74:y:2023:i:c:s092876552300043x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.reseneeco.2023.101388
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental regulation; Emission standards; Subsidy scheme; Commitment; Innovation; Electric vehicles; Fuel-powered vehicles;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation

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