Title: Global innovation vs. local regulation: introduction of automotive emission control in Sweden and Europe

Authors: David Bauner

Addresses: Industrial Economics and Management, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: The increasing effects of pollution in larger cities in Europe in the 1960s spurred investigations into the sources of pollution and the means for its reduction. One important source of pollution was found to be the increasing fleet of passenger cars. In difference to a common description like ||strict vehicle emission regulations were established in EU and EFTA countries in 1995||, this paper shows the mosaic of arguments and technical capabilities resulting in a staged development, in stark contrast to an – in theory – unanimous desire to reduce air pollution in Europe. It shows that multiple agendas of equal proportion – reduction of oil consumption, improving air quality and sustaining regional or national industrial sectors – may slow or halt regulations that were successfully introduced elsewhere.

Keywords: vehicle emissions; emission control; pollution reduction; three-way catalyst; environmental technology; innovation; local regulations; air pollution; Sweden; Europe; oil consumption; policy; automobile industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2007.013248

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.1/2, pp.244 - 272

Published online: 13 Apr 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article