The European Automotive Sector Transformation - A Struggle for Standards

Amidst rising environmental concerns and an amplification of climate change (climate crisis), the worldwide automotive industry faces considerable threats and is obliged to change its modus operandi. The European Union, its actors, institutions, and member states are pushing for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide). Consequently, the automotive sector became the main target of motivation for radical change and policy innovation. Policy innovations in climate policy operate primarily through the introduction of new standards that disturb established norms, procedures and practices and aim at the standardization of new ones. The phasing out of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) based on fossil fuels has led to endeavors of technological innovation and competition in the European car sector. The European Commission pursues ending this competition via the implementation of new standards. In a field of forces, actors use their environment and their distinctive advantages in a struggle for standards as a governing tool to create a common European industrial policy with binding implications for its Member States (MS). Which policy entrepreneurs are responsible for this politically constructed standardization? How is this standardization organized and implemented? How does transformative policy entrepreneurship differ between France and Germany (main European addressees of change) and what effect do the diverging institutional settings have on their ability to influence the European Commission? In view of these concerns, the research question of the proposed article is: How does transformative policy entrepreneurship for new decarbonization standards for the automotive industry differ between France and Germany – and what roles do governance regimes and the dynamics of public opinion play in shaping transformative industrial change at the European level? Hypotheses H1: The European Union fulfils its function as a standard-setting institution and aims at the creation of a European industrial policy. H2: Policy entrepreneurs struggle for standards in the transformation of the European automotive industry and are dependent on the approval/support of public opinion and NGOs. Standards are the new modus operandi. H3: In a top down approach, the French government more readily/easily imposes standards and accompanies selected champions in their transformation to successful electromobility. H4: In a bottom up approach, the German government seeks to equalize opportunities and constraints and favors to remain technologically open.