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The emergence of electromobility: Comparing technological pathways in France, Germany, China and India

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  • Tilman Altenburg
  • Eike W. Schamp
  • Ankur Chaudhary

Abstract

Globally, new forms of electromobility are challenging established transport technologies based on internal combustion engines. We explore how this transition is simultaneously unfolding in four countries, enabling us to shed some light on the dynamics and determinants of technological path creation. Our analysis covers two old industrialized countries (France and Germany) and two newly industrialized countries (China and India) with very different market conditions and policy frameworks. It reveals enormously different choices of technologies and business models and traces them back to four main drivers of divergence: technological capabilities, demand conditions, political priorities and economic governance.

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  • Tilman Altenburg & Eike W. Schamp & Ankur Chaudhary, 2016. "The emergence of electromobility: Comparing technological pathways in France, Germany, China and India," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 43(4), pages 464-475.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:scippl:v:43:y:2016:i:4:p:464-475.
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    1. Mariusz Tomczyk & Henryk Wojtaszek & Małgorzata Chackiewicz & Małgorzata Orłowska, 2023. "Electromobility and Renewable Energy Sources: Comparison of Attitudes and Infrastructure in Poland and Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-34, December.
    2. Qunhong Shen & Kaidong Feng & Xiaobin Zhang, 2016. "Divergent technological strategies among leading electric vehicle firms in China: Multiplicity of institutional logics and responses of firms," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 43(4), pages 492-504.
    3. Altenburg, Tilman & Corrocher, Nicoletta & Malerba, Franco, 2022. "China's leapfrogging in electromobility. A story of green transformation driving catch-up and competitive advantage," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    4. Wesseling, Joeri H. & Bidmon, Christina & Bohnsack, René, 2020. "Business model design spaces in socio-technical transitions: The case of electric driving in the Netherlands," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Künle, Eglantine & Minke, Christine, 2022. "Macro-environmental comparative analysis of e-mobility adoption pathways in France, Germany and Norway," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 160-174.
    6. Szalavetz, Andrea, 2022. "Transition to electric vehicles in Hungary: A devastating crisis or business as usual?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    7. Weiss, Daniel & Nemeczek, Fabian, 2021. "A text-based monitoring tool for the legitimacy and guidance of technological innovation systems," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    8. Mikel Arrinda & Gorka Vertiz & Denis Sanchéz & Aitor Makibar & Haritz Macicior, 2022. "Surrogate Model of the Optimum Global Battery Pack Thermal Management System Control," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, February.

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