Title: When regulations shape the future of an industry: the case of the high-voltage battery

Authors: Christophe Midler; Marc Alochet

Addresses: i3-CRG, École Polytechnique, CNRS, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France; Academy of Technologies of France, Bât. ENSTA – 828 Boulevard des Maréchaux, F-91762 Palaiseau Cedex, France ' i3-CRG, École Polytechnique, CNRS, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, Bât. ENSTA – 828 Boulevard des Maréchaux, F-91762 Palaiseau Cedex, France

Abstract: In China, Europe and the USA, the transition from thermal to battery electric vehicles is ongoing under the effect of technology forcing regulations. We investigate whether and how those related to high-voltage batteries could shape the future of the automotive industry. While China is leading the way, Europe and the USA, with very high levels of funding, are racing against time to catch up and develop a sustainable battery value chain controlled by local champions. As the USA resorts to protectionism, we hypothesise that we may see the emergence of three geographic production hubs, ending the globalisation of the battery industry.

Keywords: high-voltage battery; zero emission vehicle; ZEV; regulation; China; Europe; USA; battery manufacturing; battery supply chain; localisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2023.136572

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2023 Vol.23 No.4, pp.343 - 382

Received: 10 Dec 2022
Accepted: 03 Apr 2023
Published online: 07 Feb 2024 *

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