Managing the transition to electric vehicle technology

Until quite recently, the automotive industry was characterised by relatively mature, established technologies. With the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) and more recently the prospect of self-driving cars, the sector is now at the cutting edge of global technological developments. The advent of electric vehicles is set to have a dramatic effect, not just on automotive manufacturing, but on industry more widely and on a range of other sectors such as energy and transport.   This policy brief assesses the position with regard to the diffusion of EV technology, its impact and the questions that it raises for policy makers.