Review of Contemporary Business Research

Investigating Turkey’s EV Technology Adoption Level: How Would Turkey Cross the Chasm Through Policies?
Bilgehan Yildiz, Murat Ustaoglu, Ahmet Incekara

Abstract
The demand for oil has been booming as more developing countries start integrating into the global economy. Volatility in the oil price and energy costs coerce governments and industries to seek alternative energy sources. Furthermore, the negative impact of carbon emissions on the environment along with pressure from governmental and social organizations’ compel automotive manufacturing industries to gradually shift to these alternative energy sources. Enacted legislations and proposed economy bills (to promote green technologies) have especially had an impact on industry practices. Governments additionally give certain incentives, (such as tax breaks,) to encourage the adoption of green technologies by both consumers and manufacturers. Corporations invest in research and development to bring forth innovative technologies for a number of reasons: to find the most cost effective technology that works with sustainable energy, to keep up with the everchanging industry conditions, and (thereby) gain a competitive advantage in the market. Electric Vehicles (EV), which claim to reduce the carbon emissions, are offered at a competitive price and performance, and, therefore, one of the strongest green technology alternatives. Thus, throughout the world, many corporations are focused on developing and manufacturing EV models in order to take lead in the market. As of September 2013, the United States had the largest fleet of plug-in electric vehicles in the world by annual sales - over 450,000 plug-in electric cars. The United States has taken a dominant role in adopting this new innovative green technology and many of its states have taken up the incentives and adapted to its regulations. Overseas, Turkey took lead among the developing countries and already launched its first EV model; it aims to become an important EV manufacturer for Europe. In this paper, the financial, psychological, and infrastructural barriers to cross the chasm in EV technology are investigated and suggestions for betterment through policies for the future are made.

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