A Sociotechnical Transition to an Electric Autonomous Vehicle System

Modern economic growth has been based on mass industrial production and consumption, which have heavily relied on fossil fuels and energy waste since the 18th century. Hence, current socio-technical systems are unsustainable in meeting humans' basic needs, such as energy and mobility. Fossil energy resources are non-renewable and, on the one hand, contribute to emissions that cause unreliable harm to the environment. In this research, the prime theory of Transformational Change illuminates how to use science and technology policy to meet social needs sustainably and inclusively in societies. This article answers questions regarding the essential policies and governance measures that states need to implement for the transition to electric autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the socio-technical system. Using meta-synthesis, followed by a case study and interviews with experts in the electric AV field, the article identifies state policies and governance measures to facilitate the transition of the sociotechnical system into electric AVs. The conceptualization of these roles determines that the state's role is influenced by policy, governance, and legal decisions, which are ultimately implemented through specific combinations of policies.