Technological, Market and Policy Drivers of Emerging Trends in the Diffusion of Plug-in Electric Vehicles in the U.S.

It has only been over the past decade that key technologies advanced sufficiently to enable the development of viable electric vehicles. This article explores the remaining barriers, the cost trajectory for electric vehicles and for conventional vehicles, differentiating and unique features of electric drive, and the lowered barriers to entry for new firms created by electric powertrains.