From path dependence to policy mixes for Nordic electric mobility: Lessons for accelerating future transport transitions

Abstract

We examine the problem of how to accelerate policies related to electric vehicles (EVs) in the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. These four Nordic countries represent an interesting collection of cases by virtue of having common decarbonization targets extending to the transport sector, interlinked electric energy systems and a joint electricity market largely based on low-carbon energy while they are open societies bent on innovation, making them well adaptable to a transition toward electric mobility. Our analytical framework drawing from transition research, lock-in and path dependency and institutionalism enables us to discern technological, institutional and behavioral mechanisms which can have both constraining and enabling effects vis-à-vis this transition by means of shaping national socio-technical systems and regimes. On this basis, we also discuss how to develop policies accelerating the transition. We find that the incumbent industries can shape policy choice through the lock-in into institutional inter-dependencies. The accumulation of social and material features, and vested interests of actors, for its part can maintain regime level inertia, impeding the transition. Yet, technological lock-in can also enable EVs, by means of learning effects from technologically interrelated wind energy projects and available infrastructure in buildings that support the EV charging needs. Overall, the complexity of path-dependent mechanisms embedded in the dominant regimes, together with the diversity of emerging policy mixes, demands attention both on the technologies and broader socio-technical systems in order to properly assess the prospects of transition toward electric mobility.

A Research Agenda to Better Understand the Human Dimensions of Energy Transitions

“…Furthermore, we need to understand path dependencies and the inertia of energy systems against (sustainable) changes, and how to prevent or overcome "lock-in" effects that can inhibit a sustainable energy transition (Kanger et al, 2019;Kotilainen et al, 2019). This requires an interdisciplinary and multilevel perspective on socio-technical innovations and technologies, as to understand which policies (e.g., laws, regulations, pricing schemes), governance, and motivational factors (such as values, attitudes, norms, and preferences) can encourage the adoption and use of technologies and innovations embedded in sustainable systems (Thøgersen, 2018).…”

Framing Electric Mobility for Urban Sustainability in a Circular Economy Context: An Overview of the Literature

“…The study advocates "strong stable national targets and price incentives combined with local flexibility to implement secondary benefits and give more attention to awareness campaigns to advance the implementation of electric vehicles." Kotilainen et al [59] (2019) focused on the Nordic countries with common decarbonization targets for the (road) transportation sector, interwoven electric energy systems, and a joint electricity market largely based on low carbon energy generation. They detected technological, institutional, and behavioral mechanisms that can either constrain or enable a transition by shaping national socio-technical systems and regimes.…”

Power struggles in policy feedback processes: incremental steps towards a circular economy within Dutch wastewater policy

“…It may be worthwhile to focus exclusively on technology in policy (feedback) processes, particularly by involving other research fields (e.g. Geels, 2020;Kotilainen et al, 2019;Schmidt & Sewerin, 2017). Finally, further delving into the agency of established actors is particularly important; in investigating the what, how and why of the power struggles in our analysis, why certain actors acted in specific manners was specifically intriguing and fruitful for understanding the case.…”