Abstract:At the current stage of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market development, sales rates vary dramatically across different countries and regions. For policy-makers and other stakeholders it is useful to understand the major social, economic, and policy drivers of vehicle adoption. This paper provides insights into the developing PEV markets in Norway, Netherlands, California, United States, France, Japan, and Germany. This is accomplished by applying a Technological Innovation System (TIS) approach that systematically identifies the role of different factors in promulgating new markets. Our comparison between markets shows that in all studied regions, sales of PEVs are supported through various types of government incentives, government resources, and other legitimation activities. However, regions with relatively strong PEV markets have a greater focus on market formation activities and relatively higher costs savings associated with operating an electric vehicle as compared to a conventional vehicle. To determine whether these factors are the primary determinants of PEV market shares, further research should be undertaken that also incorporates analysis related to the presence and government support for entrepreneurial activities related to electric vehicle innovation.