Title: From ICE to BEV production in Europe: industry geography in transition

Authors: Thomas H. Klier; James M. Rubenstein

Addresses: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 230 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL, 60604, USA ' Department of Geography, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA

Abstract: This paper describes the distribution of battery electric vehicle (BEV) production in Europe and suggests explanations for the distinctive spatial pattern of BEV production that is unfolding in Europe. We show that the emerging distribution of final assembly plants and battery plants for BEV production varies from the existing distribution of assembly and engine operations for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production. Economic geography factors underlying the distribution of motor vehicle production, including agglomeration and co-location, remain important in understanding Europe's emerging geography of BEV production, yet factors unique to BEVs are altering the spatial pattern of production within Europe.

Keywords: Europe; auto industry; production geography; vehicle assembly; battery production; electric vehicles; ICE vehicles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2024.138488

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2024 Vol.24 No.1, pp.95 - 117

Received: 20 Oct 2023
Accepted: 05 Nov 2023
Published online: 07 May 2024 *

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