Title: Nurtured competition and optimal vehicle life: a missing theme in public policy formulation for alternative vehicle technologies?

Authors: Dan Coffey; Carole Thornley

Addresses: Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK ' Keele Management School, University of Keele, Keele, ST5 5BG, UK

Abstract: This paper explores the problem of introducing low carbon vehicles in a context where original equipment manufacturers face 'nurtured competition' in the form of sizeable existing fleets of older vehicles embodying conventional (ICE) technologies. Following a review of complementary policy features in a national case study (Britain), it identifies the operation of the used car market as pivotal to the operation of the new car market. It concludes with a brief assessment of future modelling agendas, organised around a discussion of optimal vehicle life, to close the missing policy theme thereby exposed.

Keywords: low carbon vehicles; nurtured competition; public policy; taxation; tax and subsidy; optimal vehicle life; UK; United Kingdom; new car market; used car market; automobile industry; automotive technology; modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2013.052997

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2013 Vol.13 No.2, pp.134 - 150

Published online: 28 Nov 2013 *

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