We are at the end of module 2 which contained a lot of information about institutional theory but also about institutions in practice. In the first lecture prof. Rolf Künneke introduced the concept of institutional theory. He explained how transaction costs not only include the transfer of goods but also for example the search costs for a good trading partner, location etc. Also, prof. Künneke explained that costs are not over once a contract has been established. Monitoring and enforcement costs can also play a big role. Further in the lecture the notion of institutions was elaborated on more using the case of charging infrastructure.

In the second lecture prof. Künneke focused on the relationship between the technical components and institutions. Using charging infrastructure as example, he explained that not only the technical aspects such as capacity management of the grid, but also institutional aspects such as interoperability in payments systems are vital. It is most important that the technical and institutional components are coherent for a system to work.

In the third lecture we had a look at electric mobility policy in the Netherlands. We had an interview with Suzan Reitsma from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. She explained some of the motivations behind the policy to promote electric mobility. She explained some of the concrete measures taken but also focused on the institutional matters such as the strong private-public partnership, the so-called ‘Dutch approach’.

In the last lecture we delved deeper into the institutions with an interview with Bert Klerk, chairman of Holland E-Mobility. This lobby groups contains all different stakeholders in the field of electric mobility. Even with the many diverging interests within the group, their approach has been very successful in promoting electric mobility with the Dutch government and has for example lead to fiscal advantages and a large charging infrastructure.

Further reading

• • • Oliver E. Williamson (1953) Transaction Cost Economics and Organization Theory, Industrial and Corporate Change (2), 2, pp 107 – 156.
    • Hodgson, G.M., ‘What are institutions?’, Journal of Economic Issues 2006 vol. 40 no.1, p. 2–4.
    • Ministry of economic affairs The Netherlands (2017) Vision on the charging infrastructure for electric Transport, The Hague. Retrieved from: https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2017/05/Vision%20on%20the%20charging%20infrastructure%20for%20electric%20transport.pdf
    • Netherlands Enterprise Agency (2016) 5 Years of ‘Hybrid and Electric Vehicles’ living lab projects, The Hague. Retrieved from: https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2016/05/5%20Years%20of%20Hybrid%20and%20Electric%20Vehicles%20living%20lab%20projects.pdf
    • International Energy Agency (2018) EV30@30 Campaign, Retrieved from: https://www.iea.org/media/topics/transport/3030CampaignDocumentFinal.pdf