In an increasingly globalised world, paradoxically regional innovation clusters have moved to the forefront of attention as a strategy for economic and social development. Transcending international success cases, like Silicon Valley and Route 128, as sources of lessons, successful high tech clusters in niche areas have had a significant impact on peripheral regions. Are these successful innovation clusters born or made? If they are subject to planning and direction, what is the shape that it takes: top down, bottom up or lateral?

In an increasingly globalised world, paradoxically regional innovation clusters have moved to the forefront of attention as a strategy for economic and social development. Transcending international success cases, like Silicon Valley and Route 128, as sources of lessons, successful high tech clusters in niche areas have had a significant impact on peripheral regions. Are these successful innovation clusters born or made? If they are subject to planning and direction, what is the shape that it takes: top down, bottom up or lateral?

This book is about how societies around the world can accelerate innovation in sustainable transport. It examines the relationship between policy change and the development of technological innovations in low carbon vehicle technologies, including biofuels, hybrid-electric vehicles, electric vehicles and fuel cells. Examining this relationship across countries and regions that are leaders in vehicle manufacturing and innovation, such as the European Union, Germany, Sweden, China, Japan, Korea and USA, the books aims to learn lessons about policy and innovation performance.